China’s sole aircraft carrier conducted drills in the South China Sea. The Soviet-built Liaoning aircraft carrier and accompanying warships sailed round the east coast of Taiwan.
The carrier’s J-15 fighters conducted flight exercises in complex sea conditions. The carrier group also ran helicopter exercises.
The drills also come at a time of heightened strain with self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own, following U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s telephone call with the Taiwan’s president that upset China.
Other Latest Facts Related to China and South China Sea Tension:
Last month China conducted its first ever live-fire drills using an aircraft carrier close to Korea.
Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said on Dec. 26 that the Liaoning and five accompanying ships had entered the top half of the South China Sea after passing south of Taiwan, and later docked at a base on China’s Hainan island.
China has been angered recently by U.S. naval patrols near islands that China claims in the South China Sea. Recently Chinese navy ship seized a U.S. underwater drone in the South China Sea. China later returned it.
Japan had also spotted six Chinese naval vessels including the Liaoning traveling through the passage, and they also scrambled jets after a helicopter that took off from a Chinese frigate flew near Miyako Island.
China’s air force conducted long-range drills this month above the East and South China Seas that rattled Japan and Taiwan. China said those exercises were also routine.
Background:
China claims most of the South China Sea through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.