16 h. ago How are Chinese carriers pushing limits and testing boundaries in the Pacific?

New details emerging about a rare Chinese military drill involving two aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific last month reveal that the vessels are training with greater intensity and complexity, according to experts. One analyst said that by testing themselves against each, the Liaoning and Shandong carriers could gain a level of experience that even the United States military could not gain in battle because it was usually engaged with far less powerful rivals. Since Monday, state...

Politics

17 h. ago Hong Kong water taxis, harbour cruise firm cash in on aircraft carrier’s visit

Some water transport operators are cashing in on the high-profile visit of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its strike fleet to Hong Kong by ferrying visitors for a better look, although marine police have stopped their vessels from getting close. Hong Kong Water Taxi, owned by the Oriental Pearl Cruise Company, organised special sightseeing tours for visitors to get a closer look on Thursday afternoon, and demand was so strong that it was adding more trips on Friday. Another firm,...

Economics

18 h. ago ‘Marvellous achievement’: Hongkongers flock to see Chinese warship Shandong

Hundreds of residents and tourists lined Hong Kong's waterfronts on Thursday morning to catch a glimpse of the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entering local waters. Crowds packed the esplanade at the South Horizons private residential estate in Hong Kong Island’s Southern district, with many setting up cameras to get pictures of the passing warships. The Shandong was spotted near Lamma Island at 7.17am and is the first Chinese carrier to call at Hong Kong...

Events

19 h. ago Hong Kong crowds welcome aircraft carrier Shandong as city leader hails visit

China’s first independently designed aircraft carrier, the Shandong, sailed into Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning, with thousands of people flocking to the coast and hilltops and even renting water taxis to welcome the vessel and three other warships to the city. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu inspected a guard of honour on the deck of the 70,000-tonne carrier, accompanied by two senior naval officers, and was given a tour of the ship in the late afternoon. He attended a welcoming ceremony...

Politics

21 h. ago From land to sea: top spots to get a glimpse of the Shandong in Hong Kong

Crowds of fans and onlookers gave an emotional welcome to the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group when they sailed into Hong Kong waters on Thursday for a five-day port call. Many are seeking alternatives or the best vantage points to view the fleet, as the Shandong is anchored to the west of Victoria Harbour. The other three vessels – the missile destroyers Yan’an and Zhanjiang, and the missile frigate Yuncheng hull number 571 – are moored at the PLA pier on...

Politics

29 h. ago Live: Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong enters Hong Kong waters for 5

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Society

29 h. ago Live: Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong arrives in Hong Kong for 5

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Society

29 h. ago Live: Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Society

29 h. ago Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Events

29 h. ago Developing | Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock

Developing | Chinese aircraft carrier’s visit shows national security ‘rock-solid’: John Lee  South China Morning Post

Events

29 h. ago Hong Kong’s John Lee inspects guard of honour on Chinese warship Shandong

This story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong and its accompanying strike group entered Hong Kong waters on Thursday morning as part of a five-day trip, marking the first time one of the country’s fully domestically built carriers has visited the city. The 70,000-tonne warship is being escorted by...

Events

3 d. ago Certain ferry services in Hong Kong to be suspended during Chinese naval fleet visit

Hongkongers will have to make changes to their transport plans during the visit of a naval fleet led by the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong from Thursday as certain ferry services will be temporarily suspended, with authorities also implementing restrictions in some flying zones. The Transport Department on Monday evening announced the adjustments, with nine outlying island licensed ferry service routes operating on the western fairway to be suspended gradually between about 7.20am and 9.50am...

Politics

4 d. ago First tickets for Hongkongers to see Chinese aircraft carrier gone in 45 seconds

The first batch of tickets to get an inside view of a Chinese aircraft carrier, the Shandong, docking in Hong Kong from July 3 to 7, has been snapped up in less than a minute. The Post found the tickets were picked up within 45 seconds after they were released on WeChat on Monday. A total of 10,000 tickets, with 2,000 designated for the aircraft carrier and 8,000 for two other vessels – the Zhangjian missile destroyer and the Yuncheng missile frigate – are up for grabs, with real-name...

Transport

4 d. ago Tickets to visit Chinese aircraft carrier in Hong Kong gone in under a minute

The first and second batches of tickets to board the Shandong aircraft carrier during its port call to Hong Kong from July 3 to 7 have been snapped up in less than a minute. The Post found the tickets for the first batch were gone within 45 seconds after they were released on WeChat on Monday. When the second batch was released at 3pm, the reservation system showed no tickets for the Shandong remained, while those for the Zhanjiang and Yuncheng vessels were snapped up within 30 seconds. A total...

Transport

2 w. ago Photos Show Chinese Aircraft Carriers Flexing Muscles in Pacific

Photos Show Chinese Aircraft Carriers Flexing Muscles in Pacific  Newsweek

Transport

2 w. ago Dual Chinese Aircraft Carrier Strike Groups Continue to Operate in the Western Pacific

Dual Chinese Aircraft Carrier Strike Groups Continue to Operate in the Western Pacific  USNI News

Events

2 w. ago Chinese state media says aircraft carrier may be commissioned by end of year

The Fujian, China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, is expected to be commissioned by the end of the year, according to state broadcaster CCTV. In a feature broadcast on Tuesday, the third anniversary of the ship’s launch, Wei Dongxu, a CCTV military commentator, said: “The sea trials of the Fujian have made very good progress and it is expected to enter service this year.” On Monday state media dropped another hint that the ship would soon be entering service by referring to an “era” when the...

Events

2 w. ago What is the US’ island chain strategy and what does it mean for China?

China’s navy is pushing past the strategic island chains that for decades have marked defensive boundaries for the United States and its allies in the Western Pacific. The deployment of two Chinese aircraft carrier groups in the open waters of the Pacific Ocean since late May has underscored a critical advance in Beijing’s ambitions to become a blue-water navy by 2035. The Liaoning and Shandong have been on a routine training exercise to test their “far-sea defences and joint operational...

Politics

2 w. ago Chinese aircraft carriers’ Pacific presence sparks warnings for Philippines

The crossing of a US-designated island chain in the Western Pacific by a Chinese carrier group marks an increase in Beijing’s “operational tempo” that the Philippines should pay heed to, observers say. They warn, however, that a “delicate balance” should still be maintained to avoid any escalation amid calls for vigilance. Regional governments such as Japan and Taiwan have advised increased caution, and a former official in the Joe Biden administration has suggested formalising the so-called...

Events

3 w. 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