Recently, the aircraft carrier Shandong of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was spotted near the Philippines in a move that many media outlets have pointed to as a provocation amid ongoing events in the South China Sea. The deployment is also considered a scheduled exercise as part of its preparation for its journey to the Western Pacific.
Citing commercial satellite images, Hong Kong’s Singtao Daily and media outlets in Taiwan reported on Saturday that the Shandong aircraft carrier of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) had arrived in waters about 200 nautical miles from Luzon Island in the Philippines. Some believe that the Shandong’s mission is likely not focused on the Philippines, but rather on moving beyond the first island chain into the Western Pacific.
Previous media reports suggest that the People’s Liberation Army Navy has already sent significant surface combat vessels to the South China Sea, including Type 055 destroyers and Type 052D destroyers, as well as major amphibious ships such as a Type 075 amphibious assault ship and a Type 071 amphibious landing ship.
The Shandong and its strike group were seen in the last month of 2023 near the Taiwan Strait following their return from deployment in the Western Pacific as part of their third deployment, which began in October.
In recent weeks, the Philippines and China have been involved in new confrontations over the reefs and islands claimed by both countries. Additionally, the presence of U.S. forces has been exacerbating China’s intention to maintain its presence in the South China Sea. Just recently, four F-35B fighters from the U.S. Marine Corps, along with personnel from the Philippine Navy, carried out the launch of seven JDAM GBU-32-500 guided bombs in the South China Sea.
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