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The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Chinese aircraft carrier seen operating deeper into Pacific
FILE PHOTO: Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea in late October 2024. - Xinhua TOKYO: A Chinese aircraft carrier made one of its deepest forays into the Pacific Ocean over the weekend as Beijing continues to project its military power further from its shores. The Liaoning and three other Chinese naval vessels were seen on June 7 around 300km south-west of the remote, uninhabited Japanese island of Minamitori, according to a statement from Japan's Joint Chief of Staff. Minamitori is more than 1,800km south-east of Tokyo. The Chinese carrier was within the portion of Japan's exclusive economic zone around the island. A day later, Japan said it confirmed the takeoff and landing of fighter jets and helicopters from the deck of the carrier, an indication of exercises to test the ability of pilots and sailors to perform combat operations. The sightings are likely the first time any of China's three aircraft carriers have been observed operating east of the so-called second island chain, a string of islands that extends from Japan, through the Northern Mariana Islands and south to Guam. The second chain and the first island chain, which is closer to China and includes Japan's southern Ryuku Islands and the Philippines, limit China's access to the western Pacific Ocean. US, Japanese and other military bases sit along both of the chains. In the case of a conflict in the Western Pacific involving the US, such as a possible military engagement over Taiwan, China could be at risk from US forces deployed from large American bases in Hawaii. The ability to operate east of the second chain could help China's navy counter such deployments. Neither the US Indo-Pacific Command nor the Foreign Ministry in Beijing immediately responded to a request for comment. The Liaoning, a rebuilt Russian vessel, is the oldest of China's carriers. In recent days it has sailed with accompanying ships widely around the Western Pacific, including rare sightings to the east of the Philippines, according to Japan's Joint Chief of Staff. Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told China's state-run Global Times last week that the Liaoning was conducting normal training activities. Wang said Chinese carriers are expected to go further into deep ocean areas in the future, according to the report. - Bloomberg
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Chinese aircraft carrier seen operating deeper into Pacific
The Chinese carrier was within the portion of Japan's exclusive economic zone around the island. PHOTO: REUTERS TOKYO – A Chinese aircraft carrier made one of its deepest forays into the Pacific Ocean over the weekend as Beijing continues to project its military power further from its shores. The Liaoning and three other Chinese naval vessels were seen on June 7 around 300km south-west of the remote, uninhabited Japanese island of Minamitori, according to a statement from Japan's Joint Chief of Staff. Minamitori is more than 1,800km south-east of Tokyo. The Chinese carrier was within the portion of Japan's exclusive economic zone around the island. A day later, Japan said it confirmed the takeoff and landing of fighter jets and helicopters from the deck of the carrier, an indication of exercises to test the ability of pilots and sailors to perform combat operations. The sightings are likely the first time any of China's three aircraft carriers have been observed operating east of the so-called second island chain, a string of islands that extends from Japan, through the Northern Mariana Islands and south to Guam. The second chain and the first island chain, which is closer to China and includes Japan's southern Ryuku Islands and the Philippines, limit China's access to the western Pacific Ocean. US, Japanese and other military bases sit along both of the chains. In the case of a conflict in the Western Pacific involving the US, such as a possible military engagement over Taiwan, China could be at risk from US forces deployed from large American bases in Hawaii. The ability to operate east of the second chain could help China's navy counter such deployments. Neither the US Indo-Pacific Command nor the Foreign Ministry in Beijing immediately responded to a request for comment. The Liaoning, a rebuilt Russian vessel, is the oldest of China's carriers. In recent days it has sailed with accompanying ships widely around the Western Pacific, including rare sightings to the east of the Philippines, according to Japan's Joint Chief of Staff. Mr Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told China's state-run Global Times last week that the Liaoning was conducting normal training activities. Mr Wang said Chinese carriers are expected to go further into deep ocean areas in the future, according to the report. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
India.com
6 days ago
- Business
- India.com
How China's Strengthening Navy Matters And Why The World Should Worry
New Delhi: Forget the days when China was just a continental giant. Today, it is dreaming in deep blue. From rusted Soviet leftovers to high-tech steel beasts, the dragons' navy is undergoing a transformation – one that is setting off alarm bells from Washington to Tokyo. It started quietly, almost like a bluff. An old Soviet carrier, the Varyag, bought from Ukraine under the pretense of turning it into a floating casino. Fast-forward to today, that same ship, renamed Liaoning, is the pride of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Add the Shandong, its second carrier, and now whispers of four more, including nuclear-powered ones. The message is loud and clear – China is not playing games anymore. A fleet of six carriers by the 2030s is not a naval vanity project, it is a geopolitical weapon. This is not only about flags on decks. It is about full-spectrum control in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. As ex-PLA Navy officer Wang Yunfei revealed, this setup allows China to have at least two carriers deployed at all times while others undergo refits or training. From Taiwan Strait standoffs to South China Sea flashpoints, Beijing could soon launch multi-theater operations simultaneously even without blinking. These floating fortresses will let the country flex military muscle thousands of miles from home, without needing foreign bases. Aircraft carriers are only as good as the jets they launch. China knows this, and it is going stealth. Meet the J-35B – a sleek and folding-wing stealth fighter that eerily mirrors America's F-35. The aging J-15s will soon be sidelined. The future is stealthy, silent and lethal. The J-35B can carry more fuel, more firepower and vanish from radar. It is a flying middle finger to the West's naval dominance. Add to that China's expanding anti-ship missile network and rapidly advancing drone capabilities. China is not merely strengthening its navy, it is building a nightmare for its rivals. Not About Defense But Control China says its carriers are for 'regional stability'. But history tells a different story. Aircraft carriers are offensive tools. They are about power projection, global presence and strategic dominance. From the Persian Gulf to the Horn of Africa, Beijing is quietly expanding naval bases and port deals. Djibouti was just the beginning. Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Cambodia, they all are pieces of a bigger puzzle – which is maritime encirclement with Chinese characteristics. What Will the West Do? The United States still boasts the world's largest carrier fleet. But China is catching up fast, and it is not waiting for permission. While Washington debates budgets, Beijing builds hulls. If unchecked, China's carrier fleet could soon be parked near global chokepoints, patrolling trade routes and rewriting the rules of naval warfare. So, the real question is not whether China can dominate the oceans. It is whether anyone will stop them before they do.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
China deploys 200-ton boats to take on 10,000-ton US warships in South China Sea
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has deployed Type 22 fast attack missile boats to target US Navy warships in the South China Sea. This action occurred as the United States continues to enhance its naval presence near China. A recent report by China Central Television (CCTV) showcased the PLA Navy utilizing the boat in missions involving the interception of foreign warships and the protection of maritime rights in the contested South China Sea. Initially fielded when the PLA Navy lacked significant blue-water capabilities, the Type 22 was designed to counter littoral threats. Fast and agile, this platform uses stealth technology to fill an important operational need. As China expands its maritime power, the platform's design advantages allow it to be used in various roles. According to CCTV, the Type 22 has been routinely assigned to littoral patrols, escort duties, monitoring operations, and joint missions with China Coast Guard units. In a recent training operation, a Type 22 boat commanded by Yang Wu from the PLA Eastern Theater Command intercepted a foreign naval warship that had allegedly entered Chinese territorial waters. A warship entered the area, weighing between 8,000 and 9,000 tons. This is much larger than the 220-ton Type 22. Even with this size difference, the Type 22 used quick movements, low radar visibility, and strong firepower to reach the area quickly, strengthen its position, and confront the larger ship. The tactical utility of speed, stealth, and precision strike capabilities over sheer size was again demonstrated. Chinese military analyst Wang Yunfei, speaking to the Global Times, highlighted that the Type 22 was engineered for an era when coastal defense was paramount and the PLA Navy's fleet of major surface combatants was minimal. The Type 22 has a top speed of about 50 knots and can launch anti-ship missiles, making it a powerful tool during its early use. As the PLA Navy shifts to a mix of defending coastal areas and operating far out at sea, the Type 22 is still important. The Type 22 boat has a shallow draft and can move quickly. This is helpful in the tricky waters of the South China Sea, where larger ships might get stuck on reefs or in shallow areas. Moreover, the Type 22 can sail faster than most enemy ships of similar size, which gives it an edge in coastal battles. The platform's ongoing importance was reinforced during the PLA Navy's 76th anniversary celebrations on April 23, when over 30 vessels, including the Type 22, were made accessible to the public. Xinhua News Agency reported that the vessel features new technology. It is the Navy's first stealth catamaran missile boat and the main combat vessel that uses waterjet propulsion. These features improve the vessel's speed, agility, and survival ability. The Type 22 is mainly made of aluminum alloy to keep it light. It has a six-barreled 30 mm gun system, jamming flares, and two launchers that can fire eight YJ-83 anti-ship missiles. Despite its significantly smaller displacement, this gives the Type 22 firepower comparable to a frigate. The Type 22 missile boat is built for speed, stealth, and strong weaponry to help in combat. It is still used today, showing that China prioritizes adaptable ships that can handle different tasks in tough sea conditions.
