Japan Ministry of Defense: "China Conducts First Aircraft Carrier Airstrike Drill Off Taiwan Coast"

The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that a Chinese aircraft carrier strike group participated in a Taiwan encirclement exercise and conducted an airstrike training using carrier-based aircraft in the Taiwan waters for the first time, sparking controversy. Amid heightened Chinese military provocations against Taiwan following Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States, China is expected to conduct regular Taiwan encirclement exercises in the future, further escalating military tensions around the Taiwan waters.

On the 9th, the Chinese military aircraft carrier Shandong conducted carrier-based fighter jet takeoff training in the eastern waters of Taiwan. [Image source=Japan Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office]

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According to NHK on the 10th, the Japanese Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office revealed that the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong conducted airstrike training using carrier-based aircraft in the western Pacific waters about 400 km south of Miyakojima Island and east of Taiwan's main island the previous day, and also released photos.

China had previously announced it would conduct Taiwan encirclement exercises in response to the meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The Shandong reportedly conducted more than 120 takeoff and landing drills with carrier-based aircraft in the eastern Taiwan waters as a show of force. The Japanese Ministry of Defense stated that from the 7th to the 9th, carrier-based fighter jets conducted about 80 takeoff and landing drills, and helicopters about 40 times on the Shandong.

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong involved in this exercise is China's second commissioned aircraft carrier and the first to be built using entirely Chinese technology. The Shandong strike group was composed of about 4 to 5 vessels, including the latest Type 052D missile destroyers, Type 054 missile frigates, and Type 901 comprehensive supply ships, according to the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

The carrier strike group sailed between Taiwan and Japan while conducting exercises, and on the 9th, it reportedly approached waters about 230 km south of Miyakojima Island, Japan. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense also stated that it dispatched warships and patrol aircraft to monitor the Shandong strike group.

China publicly disclosed the training in the Taiwan waters to strongly demonstrate its encirclement capability. On the 10th, Major General Sui, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, stated, "During the three-day combat readiness patrol and 'Sharp Sword' joint exercise encircling Taiwan, the Eastern Theater Command successfully completed all mission tasks and comprehensively tested the joint operational capabilities of multiple military branches under real combat conditions."

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