In early April, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force closely monitored the Shandong aircraft carrier of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), which was detected sailing alongside other vessels near the waters off Yonaguni Island. This activity was closely observed by the Ministry of Defense and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces through the deployment and support of various naval assets.
The task group consisted of four Chinese Navy ships, including the Shandong (CVN-17) aircraft carrier. It was detected sailing approximately 440 kilometers south of one of the Japanese islands in Okinawa Prefecture, prompting the deployment of the destroyer JS Ōnami (DD-111) from the Sixth Escort Flotilla of the Maritime Self-Defense Force to monitor Chinese operations closely.
In addition to the aircraft carrier, the following vessels were identified: the Renhai-class missile destroyer Xianyang (108), the Luyang III-class Type 052D missile destroyer Zhanjiang (165), and the Jiangkai II-class Type 054A frigate Hengshui (572). Japanese authorities also reported observing takeoff and landing activities by carrier-based aircraft on the capital ship.
According to their position, the aircraft carrier and its accompanying vessels were located not far from Taiwan, specifically to the east of the island. This coincided with a deployment carried out last week that involved at least 71 aircraft from the PLA Air Force (36 of which entered Taiwan’s air defense identification zone), 21 warships (8 from the Shandong carrier strike group), and 4 vessels from the China Coast Guard.
This most recent deployment of naval and aerial assets was not given an official designation. The absence of a codename is thought to reflect the Asian giant’s intention to demonstrate that its military maneuvers around Taiwan “have become routine.” According to the Eastern Theater Command of the PLA, ships, aircraft, and artillery have been deployed to conduct exercises focused on blockades, attacks on land and sea targets, and aerial interception.
Lastly, it is noteworthy that the Chinese exercises coincided with the departure of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) from Guam toward the area of responsibility of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), in order to reinforce the American military presence in the Middle East, along with the USS Harry Truman. It should be noted that the CVN-70 is part of the 7th Fleet in the Pacific, which has carried out at least three deployments in the South China Sea over the past three months.
Cover image used for illustrative purposes only.
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