Last month, in Bohai Bay in the Yellow Sea, China's aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, were deployed for the first time to conduct combat readiness drills.

The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is planning a simulated invasion of the Dongsha islands with Hainan island as its field of practice.

Reportedly the simulated invasion will take place in August and will involve a significant number of troops, landing ships, hovercraft and helicopters. Local news offers coverage for the news mentioned previously.

On December 17, 2019, China's first home-built aircraft carrier named the Shandong formally entered service.

The new warship, commissioned by President Xi Jinping, represents an important milestone in the country's efforts to build up its naval power. It is the second aircraft carrier in China following the Liaoning, which is a refitted vessel purchased from Ukraine.

China considers part of its territory to be self-governing Taiwan, to be reunited with the mainland by force if necessary.

The U.S. Navy is also increasing its presence in the region. The U.S., for the first time since 2017 Navy has placed three of its aircraft carriers on the doorstep of the contested South China Sea, as tensions continue to rise between Washington and Beijing.

Maritime Business World