First Chinese Aircraft Carrier Shandong Conducts 'South China Sea Training'... "Will Conduct Regularly"

China's first domestically produced aircraft carrier, the Shandong [Image source=Chinese Ministry of National Defense website/www.mod.gov.cn]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Shandong Carrier Strike Group, China’s first domestically produced aircraft carrier, recently conducted training exercises in the South China Sea, the Chinese Navy announced.

On the 2nd, Navy spokesperson Gao Xicheng explained via the Navy’s WeChat (SNS) account that it was a "legitimate and lawful exercise according to the annual training plan," adding that it "will help enhance the ability to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests." He also emphasized, "it will contribute to regional peace and stability," urging that "it should be viewed objectively and rationally from outside perspectives."

He further mentioned that "the Chinese Navy will continue to conduct similar exercises regularly."

Following the Liaoning, the Shandong is China’s second aircraft carrier and the first built with independent Chinese technology. Since its commissioning at the end of 2019, it has been conducting maritime training to establish basic combat readiness. The Chinese Navy previously announced that the Shandong also moved through the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea for training in December last year.

Earlier last month, the U.S. and China each deployed aircraft carrier strike groups to the South China Sea, a disputed territorial area, escalating tensions through their respective training exercises.