First Public Joint Training of Two New Amphibious Ships... Likely Linked with Liaoning Aircraft Carrier Training
US Provides ASEAN with Patrol Boats and Maritime Security Equipment Targeting China
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Amid the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) special summit led by the United States, China has revealed joint training exercises involving two new Type 075 amphibious assault ships. This is the first time that two new amphibious assault ships have participated in joint training.
China's state-run Global Times reported on the 13th that the second Type 075 amphibious assault ship Guangxi and the first ship Hainan are conducting joint landing exercises. The media stated that the joint landing training is being conducted to acquire real combat experience for the Hainan, which was commissioned in April last year, and that the combat readiness time for Guangxi will be shortened.
The Type 075 amphibious assault ship is a large (light aircraft carrier class) 40,000-ton warship capable of simultaneously transporting 30 helicopters, 20 amphibious armored vehicles, 4 air-cushioned landing crafts, and 1,000 marines. In terms of specifications, it is evaluated to be similar to the U.S. amphibious assault ship America.
China is reportedly deploying a marine brigade of about 12,000 personnel to the Eastern and Southern Commands in preparation for situations involving Taiwan and the South China Sea. China plans to operate a total of three Type 075 amphibious assault ships to strengthen the marine brigade's combat power, and the third ship is currently undergoing sea trials.
The Global Times made it clear that the new amphibious assault ships are intended for Taiwan. Citing military experts, the media explained that if a military unification operation against Taiwan is carried out, the Hainan, belonging to the Southern Command, will conduct landing operations south of Taiwan Island, while the Guangxi, belonging to the Eastern Command, will conduct landing operations north of Taiwan Island.
The joint training of the new amphibious assault ships appears to be related to the real combat training of the aircraft carrier Liaoning. The Liaoning is currently conducting more than 100 carrier-based aircraft takeoff and landing exercises in the Pacific Ocean east of Taiwan. The Liaoning's training involved one new Type 055 destroyer, two Type 052D destroyers, one Type 052C destroyer, one Type 054A frigate, and one Type 901 supply ship.
This joint amphibious assault ship training is interpreted as a complex Taiwan recapture exercise in which the Chinese marines land after securing air superiority over Taiwan through carrier-based aircraft.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also intensified its criticism of the United States and Taiwan. When Kurt Campbell, White House National Security Council (NSC) Indo-Pacific Coordinator, hinted that the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait would be discussed at the special summit, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs fiercely condemned the United States, stating that it must stop political schemes to divide China and ASEAN countries.
In fact, the United States announced at the special summit that it would provide $150 million (approximately 193.1 billion KRW) in support to ASEAN. Of this, $60 million is explained by the U.S. side as equipment for maritime security (fast patrol boats) for ASEAN countries. The U.S. did not hide that this meeting was intended to check China.
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The United States must not engage in actions that undermine peace, stability, unity, and cooperation in the region," adding, "The United States must especially not play with fire on issues involving China's core interests."
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