China Conducts Third Day of Simulated Taiwan Encirclement Strike Drills with Aircraft Carrier Participation

Published 10 Apr.2023 16:35(KST)

Local Media "Taiwan Responds with Conventional Warships"

On the 10th, the third day of China's 'Taiwan encirclement' drills, live ammunition-loaded bombers were deployed for simulated strike exercises. The military tension is escalating as the United States responded by sending an Aegis destroyer to approach an artificial island in the South China Sea.

China's state-run CCTV reported that the Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army participated in the drills with the aircraft carrier Shandong, showing scenes of carrier-based aircraft taking off. CCTV reported that H-6K bombers loaded with live ammunition conducted multiple simulated strikes on key targets in Taiwan with the support of early warning aircraft, strike fighters, and jamming aircraft. In the ongoing drills encircling Taiwan since the 8th, the Shandong appears to have practiced blockading Taiwan by preventing external support from the U.S. and others. Local media reported that this is the first time the Shandong has participated in joint exercises.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The military drills are interpreted as part of China's "resolute and strong measures" announced in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California on the 5th. In response, the U.S. deployed the maritime patrol aircraft P-8A Poseidon into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), and the State Department cautioned against using the Tsai-McCarthy meeting as a pretext for overreaction. On the 10th, the U.S. further heightened military tensions by sending an Aegis destroyer to approach an artificial island established by China in the South China Sea.

Local media outlet Pengpai News also reported that Taiwan is conducting counter-drills using conventional warships during the exercises. It explained that the ship is a U.S.-made Knox-class frigate, a used warship sold to the Taiwanese military in the 1990s. The report added, "The ship is not only old but also lags behind in overall performance."