The Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesman, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, stated Thursday that the PLA Navy had recently deployed the Liaoning carrier group for standard drills in various waters, including the West Pacific, as part of its yearly training regimen to boost combat readiness.
Japan's Defense Ministry Joint Staff reported that the Liaoning group was observed near Diaoyu Dao and passed between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday.
This deployment followed a China Central Television (CCTV) documentary revealing tests of a new aircraft on the Liaoning earlier this year. Commissioned on September 25, 2012, the Liaoning is China's pioneer aircraft carrier.
CCTV also reported that China's second carrier, the Shandong, recently held nighttime certification tests for new fighter pilots during South China Sea exercises, enhancing the navy's all-hours and all-domain combat capabilities.
The third carrier, Fujian, embarked on its fourth sea trial on Sept. 3, according to Newsweek, citing online images and a maritime traffic advisory for the Yangtze River estuary.
An anonymous Chinese military expert told the Global Times that with three or more carriers, China could maintain a continuous carrier presence for missions, given that carriers typically spend equal time on maintenance, training, and deployment.
Observers note China's steady and rapid progress in its carrier program, including constructing more advanced carriers, developing new aircraft, training additional pilots, and increasing long-range naval exercises.
