16 h. ago What does China’s PLA gain from operating 2 carriers in second island chain?

In sending two aircraft carriers to the western Pacific concurrently for the first time, Beijing is learning to coordinate the vessels in open ocean, a tactic it would likely use to deter US forces in a Taiwan conflict, according to defence analysts. The two carriers – the Liaoning and Shandong – were spotted in the waters, having entered the western Pacific via separate courses over the past two weeks. They are believed to have practised dispersing, concentrating and communicating in the...

Politics

30 h. ago Japan warns of collision risks after Chinese fighter jet manoeuvres

Japan has expressed serious concerns to Beijing through diplomatic and defence channels after a Chinese fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong made “abnormal approaches” to a Japanese patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. In a statement, Tokyo’s defence ministry said a J-15 fighter shadowed its P-3C patrol aircraft operating over the Pacific for about 40 minutes from 10.30am on Saturday and again for around 80 minutes from 2pm on Sunday. The ministry said the Chinese fighter approached...

Events

41 h. ago Sending two carrier groups through First Island Chain shows China's 'growing capability': Analysts

Sending two carrier groups through First Island Chain shows China's 'growing capability': Analysts  Breaking Defense

Politics

45 h. ago US Aircraft Carrier Holds 'Warfighting' Drills on China's Doorstep

US Aircraft Carrier Holds 'Warfighting' Drills on China's Doorstep  Newsweek

Events

47 h. ago Pictures Show Chinese Jet Buzzing US Ally From Aircraft Carrier

Pictures Show Chinese Jet Buzzing US Ally From Aircraft Carrier  Newsweek

Transport

69 h. ago Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific show Beijing's 'expansionist' aims, Taiwan says

Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific show Beijing's 'expansionist' aims, Taiwan says  The Japan Times

Transport

2 d. ago China Releases Photos of Aircraft Carriers Beyond First Island Chain

China Releases Photos of Aircraft Carriers Beyond First Island Chain  Newsweek

Transport

3 d. ago Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific show country's 'expansionist' aims, Taiwan says

Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific show country's 'expansionist' aims, Taiwan says  Reuters

Transport

3 d. ago China Deploys 2 Aircraft Carriers to Western Pacific for the First Time

China Deploys 2 Aircraft Carriers to Western Pacific for the First Time  USNI News

Transport

3 d. ago Two Chinese Aircraft Carriers Are Operating Beyond The First Island Chain For The First Time

Two Chinese Aircraft Carriers Are Operating Beyond The First Island Chain For The First Time  The War Zone

Transport

3 d. ago China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into the Pacific for the First Time

China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into the Pacific for the First Time  The New York Times

Transport

3 d. ago Did China’s first emperor launch westwards mission to find ‘elixir of life’?

History records the Chinese emperor Qin Shi Huang as sending the alchemist Xu Fu eastwards towards Japan on a quest for the elixir of immortality. However, the ancient texts make no mention of any similar expedition heading west. But according to a state media report, findings by Chinese archaeologists suggest that a western expedition for the “elixir of life” may indeed have been launched during the reign of Qin Shi Huang. Qin Shi Huang, or the “first emperor of China”, was so named because he...

Events

3 d. ago Satellite Photo Shows US Aircraft Carrier in Pacific Rivalry With China

Satellite Photo Shows US Aircraft Carrier in Pacific Rivalry With China  Newsweek

Transport

3 d. ago China’s Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers sail beyond second island chain

In an unprecedented show of strength, the Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong have been conducting exercises in the western Pacific Ocean beyond the second island chain, according to the Japanese defence ministry. In a statement on Monday, the ministry said the Shandong strike group was spotted earlier that day, conducting take-off and landing operations of its jet fighters and helicopters about 500km (311 miles) southwest of Iwo Jima and north of Okinotori. It followed the...

Transport

3 d. ago China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into Pacific Ocean in a First

China Sends Two Aircraft Carriers Into Pacific Ocean in a First  Bloomberg

Transport

3 d. ago Japan sights two Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific for first time

Japan sights two Chinese aircraft carriers in Pacific for first time  Reuters

Transport

3 d. ago China Challenges US Sea Power With Two Aircraft Carriers in West Pacific

China Challenges US Sea Power With Two Aircraft Carriers in West Pacific  Newsweek

Transport

4 d. ago Japan spots Chinese navy’s show of force in west Pacific amid maritime row

China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier has for the first time ventured into the easternmost edge of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, in what is seen as a show of force aimed at Tokyo, Washington and the broader region. The Liaoning – Beijing’s first aircraft carrier – and at least three accompanying warships were spotted on Saturday around 300km southwest of Minamitori, a remote Japanese island in the western Pacific, which serves as a bulwark for Tokyo to assert its maritime claims. The group, which...

Politics

4 d. ago Chinese Aircraft Carrier Operating Near Iwo Jima for First Time

Chinese Aircraft Carrier Operating Near Iwo Jima for First Time  USNI News

Transport

4 d. ago Ahead of US trade talks, China’s rare earth trade data from May sends a message

In a reflection of Beijing’s ability to quickly leverage its dominance over the critical-mineral supply chain, the value of rare earth elements exported by China last month plunged by nearly half compared with a year prior. The official data came as analysts have been saying that China’s export controls over large quantities of critical minerals are like the ultimate trump card in trade negotiations with the United States. The world’s second-largest economy exported rare earth elements worth...

Politics