U.S. to extend stay of nearby deployed carriers, keep an eye on the situation
China’s state-run media Global Times reported on the 5th that an aircraft carrier squadron with nuclear-powered submarines has joined China’s “siege of Taiwan” military exercise.
The media quoted Zhang Jun-seo, a researcher at the Naval Military Research Institute of the People’s Liberation Army of China, as saying, “The People’s Liberation Army started its first carrier shear deterrence exercise by establishing a three-dimensional maritime operational system in this exercise around Taiwan.”
Carrier shear deterrence training means to block the enemy’s approach to the carrier in advance.
Researcher Jang added, “Usually, nuclear-powered submarines accompany carrier missions. At least one nuclear-powered submarine participated in this exercise.”
China operates two carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, and launched the third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, in June.
Researcher Zhang, however, did not comment on which carriers were involved in the training.
After China began a complete blockade of Taiwan on the 4th, the United States ordered the aircraft carrier Ronald Hagan and the carrier strike team deployed in the nearby waters to stay in the area and monitor the situation.
Earlier, the US military deployed the Ronald Reagan to the Philippine Sea on the 2nd.
In this situation, analysts say that as Chinese carriers participate in the ‘Siege of Taiwan’ training, a situation in which the US and China carriers will face each other may be produced, and military tensions in Taiwan may further escalate.
“This military exercise is hosted by the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater closest to Taiwan, but troops from other theaters also participated,” said Jang.
In response to US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, the People’s Liberation Army launched a total of 11 Dongfeng (DF) ballistics on the 4th, the first day of ‘important military training and live ammunition shooting’, which set up six areas in the form of encirclement of Taiwan. Missiles and long-range artillery were fired in all directions around Taiwan.
/yunhap news
