Chinese Aircraft Carrier Spotted in Pacific Ocean

The Japanese government this week confirmed that two Chinese aircraft carriers have operated together for the first time in the Pacific. This has also fuelled Tokyo’s concern about Beijing’s rapidly expanding military activities in international waters beyond their own territorial jurisdiction.

Aircraft carriers are huge ships that have a runway to launch armed aircraft while at sea. These aircraft are critical in projecting the power of a nation at a distance. China routinely sends Coast Guard vessels, warships, and warplanes to areas around the disputed East China Sea islands for drills and practice. However, this time China went a step further and reached what’s called the second island chain, which includes Guam, part of the US territory.

Chinese aircraft carriers have ventured into the Pacific in the past as well, but they have never gone east of this point until now.

Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory to be conquered, if necessary by force, has also said that the carriers’ dual operation shows China’s expansionist nature.
Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani said that the two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, were based separately but almost simultaneously near the southern islands in the Pacific. The sighting that occurred last week was the first time the carriers reached further east, as both operated in waters off Iwo Jima (about 1,200 km or 750 miles south of Tokyo).