China’s dual aircraft carrier training in Pacific signals ambition, but draws Japan’s wariness

China's Shandong aircraft carrier over the Pacific Ocean in April 2023. China has deployed its Shandong and Liaoning aircraft carriers simultaneously to the Western Pacific for the first time.

China's Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean in April 2023. China recently deployed both the Shandong and her sister ship Liaoning simultaneously to the Western Pacific for the first time.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Walter Sim

and

Lim Min Zhang

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TOKYO/BEIJING – China has deployed two aircraft carriers simultaneously to the Western Pacific

for the first time

, signalling its intention to challenge the United States’ long-held maritime dominance in the area.

In a rare move, Japan’s Defence Ministry on June 17 released a map plotting the passage of the warships, Liaoning and Shandong, towards a strategic line of defence in the Western Pacific known as the “second island chain”. The carriers were spotted in waters east of the Philippines on June 16.

China’s dual aircraft carrier training in Pacific signals ambition, but draws Japan’s wariness

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