China’s aircraft carriers tipped to team up to target foreign forces aiding Taiwan
- The Shandong is expected to operate alongside the Liaoning to form a dual-carrier battle group to cut off access to independence forces on the island
- Beijing considers Taiwan a wayward province that must be unified with the mainland by force, if necessary
“[Another major] task of the [battle group’s aircraft] is to stop US long-range bombers from taking off from a naval base in Guam. This would be to prevent American aircraft targeting the PLA’s landing transport formations and Chinese submarines,” it said.
Beijing considers Taiwan a wayward province that must be unified with the mainland by force, if necessary.
In addition to the Liaoning and Shandong, the dual-carrier group will include two Type 055 guided-missile destroyers, the region’s most advanced destroyer; four Type 054 frigates; six guided-missile frigates, as well as one supply ship and three Type 093B nuclear submarines, according to the report.
Hong Kong-based military commentator Song Zhongping said a dual-carrier group would help the People’s Liberation Army extend its combat range from the coast of mainland China to the air-sea domains around Taiwan.