China’s aircraft carrier the Shandong sails through Taiwan Strait after entering service
- Carrier makes journey through the waters monitored by the Taiwanese military, the island says
- It is the vessel’s first such operation since being commissioned, after it made a similar manoeuvre in November
The carrier, accompanied by its frigates, transited northwards through the waterway on Thursday, Taiwan’s defence ministry said in a statement, without saying whether the group was closer to Taiwan or to the Chinese mainland.
“Their entire activities were monitored by our military and we are sure to protect the country’s safety and regional peace and stability,” the Taiwanese statement said.
Hong Kong-based military commentator Song Zhongping said the transit by the now-commissioned Shandong was meant to send a warning to Taipei, with President Tsai Ing-wen, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, seeking re-election in January 11’s elections.
“This [operation] means that the Taiwan Strait and the entire territory of Taiwan are within the training scope and combat scope of the two aircraft carriers.
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“Taiwan authorities should realise that if they go ahead with seeking independence or military provocation, it can only be a dead end.”
The Shandong is likely to team up with its sister ship to form a dual-carrier battle group to try to cut off foreign military access to Taiwan during a war, according to Beijing-based monthly magazine Naval and Merchant Ships.
In addition to the Liaoning and the Shandong, the dual-carrier group would include two Type 055 guided-missile destroyers, the region’s most advanced destroyer; four Type 054 frigates; six guided-missile frigates; one supply ship; and three Type 093B nuclear submarines, according to the report.
Beijing has called Taiwan “the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations” and has bolstered its military presence near the island, holding large-scale “encirclement” exercises and bomber training throughout last year and into this year.
The ship is able to carry 36 J-15 fighter jets compared with the Liaoning’s capacity of 24, although it may carry fewer than its capacity allows. Military experts said the new warship would be able to carry 40 aircraft in total, including Z-9 helicopters and KJ-600 early-warning planes.