A Chinese navy carrier group led by the Liaoning sailed as far south as waters off the southernmost tip of the Philippines during exercises in the western Pacific, escorted by two 10,000-ton destroyers.
The Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on the 25th that the Liaoning carrier group entered the Pacific on Oct. 14 through the Miyako Strait, between Japan's Okinawa and Miyako islands, then swung wide around the western and southern Philippines before turning northeast. It is the second time this year the Liaoning has conducted exercises in the western Pacific.
China Central Television said in a military program on the 24th that the Chinese navy had dispatched the Liaoning carrier group to the western Pacific on Oct. 14 for open-sea training, and that the Anshan and the Wuxi, both Type 055 10,000-ton guided-missile destroyers, were escorting the carrier. The navy said the exercise was routine training conducted under its annual plan and was aimed at improving the units' combat readiness and ability to carry out missions. It said the drills were not directed at any particular country or target.
Philippine news channel BNC reported that the group sailed to waters about 46 kilometers east-southeast of Balut Island, the southernmost point of the Philippines, before turning northeast on the 23rd. The first island chain is the U.S. maritime defense line against China, running from Japan through Taiwan to the Philippines.
The South China Morning Post said that if the group holds its northeasterly course, it could enter the Philippine Sea, where the United States and Japan are conducting joint exercises. The group is currently made up of four vessels — the Liaoning, two Type 055 destroyers and the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Huainan.
The U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet said on the 22nd that the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt was operating in the Philippine Sea alongside warships from Japan, Australia, Canada and France. Those vessels are taking part in Keen Sword 27, a U.S.-Japan joint exercise being held across Japan and surrounding waters from Oct. 19 to 29.
The timing of the Chinese carrier group's training overlaps with the U.S.-Japan exercise. Military tensions could rise as the Chinese carrier group moves into nearby waters while the United States, Japan and other allies hold large-scale joint drills, the South China Morning Post said, adding that there has been no confirmation so far that the U.S. and Chinese carrier groups have come into close contact or confronted each other.