Through a post on its official social media channels, the Chinese Navy revealed images showing two of its aircraft carriers operating beyond the First Island Chain in the Western Pacific—marking the first time this has occurred. This is a significant development that highlights not only the growing naval power of the Asian Giant, but also how that power allows it to challenge the containment strategies the United States has outlined in the Indo-Pacific region.
Specifically, the images were accompanied by a brief statement identifying the aircraft carriers as the Liaoning and Shandong, both carrying embarked air wings composed primarily of J-15 fighter jets. The objective of the deployment, according to Navy spokesperson Captain Wang Xuemeng, was to test both ships’ capabilities for long-range maritime operations and joint missions, without targeting any specific regional actor.
In his own words: “The routine training is organized in accordance with the annual plan, with the goal of continuously improving the PLA Navy’s ability to carry out its missions. It complies with relevant international laws and practices and is not directed against any specific country or target.”
The news was also confirmed by reports from Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), which noted it had been monitoring the Liaoning as it passed near the well-known island of Iwo Jima, currently referred to as Iwo Tō. Escorting the carrier were the cruiser CNS Wuxi (104), the destroyer CNS Tangshan (122), and the fleet oiler CNS Hulunhu (901), all heading into the Western Pacific. It is also worth noting that during this transit, a total of 120 flight operations were conducted by Chinese forces, which triggered concern in Tokyo due to the unusual nature of the activity.
Additional reports tracked the Shandong and its escorts moving from the Philippine Sea into the Western Pacific. These vessels were detected just over 340 miles from Japan’s Miyako Islands. According to JMSDF information, the carrier group consisted of the Shandong and four other vessels: the Type 055 destroyer Zunyi, the Type 054A frigates Yuncheng and Hengshui, and a Type 905 replenishment ship.
Returning to what was mentioned at the beginning, it’s useful to recall that the First Island Chain in the Western Pacific refers to a string of archipelagos located to the east of mainland Asia, extending from the southern tip of Japan down to the waters of the South China Sea, which separate Malaysia and Vietnam. Further into the Pacific lies what is known as the Second Island Chain, which also originates in Japan and stretches to New Guinea, passing through the strategic U.S. base on Guam. Both “chains” form part of the aforementioned U.S. containment strategy.
Image credits: @China_Navy on X
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