Triple Threat: Chinese Carriers Flex Naval Power

By Kevin Williams

Last week China sent all three of its aircraft carriers to sea. The simultaneous sea deployment of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) demonstrates the growing capabilities of Chinese seapower. The Liaoning sailed in the Philippines Sea while the Shandong operated near Hainan island. Both 60,000+ ton vessels operated with full carrier groups. The Fujian, China’s newest carrier, conducted its fourth set of sea trials. 

China’s recent carrier activity took place alongside increasing drills around Taiwan. China’s naval growth and deployments continue to raise alarm to its neighbors. The Liaoning, along with two destroyers, sailed through Japan’s contiguous zone (sea area beyond a nation’s territorial waters, but within 24 nautical miles of the coast). Hiroshi Moriya, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary stated, “the latest incident is absolutely unacceptable from the perspective of the national and regional security.” The recent carrier activity follows last month’s complaint by Japan of China flying a Y-9 reconnaissance plane through Japanese airspace. 

China’s readying of its third carrier brings greater concerns to Taiwan. According to Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), the three carriers increase China’s ability to conduct anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) around the island. The Fujian, furthers the PLAN’s ambition to deploy a blue water navy. China’s most advanced carrier differs from the Liaoning and Shandong in that it uses a catapult assist to launch aircraft, rather than the ski-jump style deck. This allows aircraft to retain more fuel and operate longer. Naval activity by both China and Western/Japanese navies in disputed territories continues to increase tensions in the Pacific, making the situation one to monitor closely.