China carries out military drill involving aircraft carrier and live firing

The China’s Navy said Thursday that China had conducted a large-scale military exercise with aircraft carrier and performed massive live firing in the Bohai Sea near the West Sea of South Korea. The Chinese Navy’s maritime training could be interpreted as a show of warning against the backdrop that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, is suggesting that the U.S. could abandon the “One China policy” and South Korea continues deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

China’s state-run English newspaper, the China Daily, and national broadcaster, China Central Television, CCTV, reported Friday that China’s Navy had conducted military drill with its first aircraft carrier Liaoning. According to media reports, Liaoning sailed out to sea along with its carrier battle group and the North Sea fleet and test fired live ammunition. During the exercise, it tested more than ten air to air, air to ship and ship to air missiles and attacked a missile defense system. CCTV provided live footage of aircraft taking off from the carrier, firing missiles and destroying a target. A reporter was sent to the scene, stood on the deck and delivered the story.

Fleet of destroyers, frigates and submarines and dozens of J-15 fighters took part in the exercise. The China Daily reported that it is the first time that the image of J-15 fighters firing missiles has been shown to the public.

The Chinese government purchased an old Russian warship and redesigned it as Liaoning. It can carry about 30 planes and was commissioned in September 2012. The Chinese government is building its second aircraft carrier at a plant in Darren. “The drill will be a turning point for the Chinese Navy to beef up its naval combat capabilities,” a commander of Liaoning said.

Ja-Ryong Koo bonhong@donga.com