The aircraft carrier Shandong of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), along with its escort of Len Hai and Luyang-class destroyers, has completed its most recent deployment around Taiwan and the Philippines. Specifically, the ship has returned to the port of Sanya located on Hainan Island, following a deployment that began earlier this month in waters southeast of that region and was detected by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force last week.
It is worth noting that before arriving in the target area in the waters near Taiwan and the Philippines, the Shandong underwent two brief repair periods at the port of Sanya after conducting the initial phases of its deployment. The first occurred after arriving at a point approximately 150 kilometers from the previously mentioned island, while the second (which took place after August 13) occurred after nearly reaching Philippine territorial limits.
It should also be remembered that this was the second deployment of the naval group led by the Shandong within a month, as it had already been deployed near Taiwan and the Japanese island of Mikayo in July. On that occasion, the group had a larger number and variety of ships compared to this latest deployment, although they were also detected and monitored by the Japanese Navy. Another previous deployment of the Shandong in the region occurred in November of last year, marking the first time the ship had sailed so close to Taiwan.
Finally, it is important to mention that this carrier strike group deployment was almost concurrent with the deployment of one of the modern Type 075 amphibious assault ships east of Taiwan, also escorted by a Luyang-class (Type 055) destroyer. During this period, the island has been on alert due to the presence of helicopters deployed nearby, with uncertainty as to whether they were launched from the latter or from the Shandong. Given that the eastern part of the country is geographically difficult for naval landings, it is notable how the PLAN has conducted such activities during heightened regional tensions.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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