Shandong aircraft carrier group concludes South China Sea Exercise
- The country’s defence ministry said the carrier and its escorts had carried out their first exercise of the year in the disputed waters
- China has been expanding its military capabilities in the area in recent years, angering rival claimants and prompting the US to step up its own presence
The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its naval support group have concluded an exercise in the South China Sea, the defence ministry said on Sunday.
Gao Xiucheng, a spokesman for the Chinese navy, said the exercises were “legitimate and can enhance Chinese capabilities to protect national sovereignty, security, and development interests,” adding they could also help protect regional peace and stability.
Gao said he hoped the outside world would view this exercise objectively and rationally. “In the future, the Chinese navy will continue to organise similar exercises,” he said.
The Shandong is China’s second aircraft carrier and the first one to be domestically produced.
The exercise was the Shandong’s first drill in the disputed South China Sea this year.