Conducting long-range tactical flight exercises to test and improve practical training levels, the Liaoning carrier group conducts exercises in the Western Pacific.

[Global Times Report, Reporter Guo Yuandan] The "People's Navy" WeChat account announced on the 19th that on May 19, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy organized the Liaoning aircraft carrier group to conduct training in relevant waters of the Western Pacific. During this period, exercises will include long-range tactical flights, live-fire shooting, support and cover, and comprehensive rescue, to test and enhance the troops' level of combat training. This is a routine training organized according to the annual plan, aimed at continuously improving the ability to fulfill missions, in accordance with relevant international laws and practices. Military experts interviewed by the Global Times stated that from the announcement, it can be seen that this long-range training is not aimed at specific targets, but the core mission of the PLA is to defend the homeland, maintain national sovereignty, security, and development interests. This training activity will form a strong deterrent against certain countries with ulterior motives and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

Rare Early Notification

"Whether it is the Liaoning, Shandong, or Fujian, to enhance the ability to fulfill missions, they are destined to head to the distant seas for training," military expert Zhang Junsha told the Global Times on the 19th. The mission of China's three active aircraft carriers is, on one hand, to enhance territorial defense capabilities, conducting maritime defense operations at greater distances to keep enemies outside the national borders; on the other hand, to improve long-range operational capabilities to protect national overseas interests and the safety of maritime passages.

Although training in the Western Pacific has become routine, the authorities do not always publicly disclose the actions of the Liaoning. The early public announcement at the beginning of this activity is particularly rare. In this regard, Zhang Junsha analyzed that this itself is a signal, as the outside world, especially Japan, has been highly concerned about the actions of this Chinese aircraft carrier, and it cannot be ruled out that there may be premature speculation about the PLA's intentions. Therefore, the "People's Navy" released information in advance to fully demonstrate openness and transparency, "which can squeeze the space for speculation by Japan and certain other countries."

Rare Early Disclosure of Training Subjects

Another "highlight" of this official announcement is the rare early disclosure of training subjects, which include long-range tactical flights, live-fire shooting, support and cover, and comprehensive rescue exercises, especially the live-fire shooting, which is significantly different from previous descriptions. Previously, the most common description of the Liaoning aircraft carrier group's training in the Western Pacific was "combat-oriented" training. Regarding this change, Zhang Junsha believes, "It cannot be ruled out that the scale of live-fire shooting conducted in the Western Pacific is relatively large, with a higher degree of combat realism, closer to actual combat."

Zhang Junsha analyzed that live-fire shooting is different from simulated shooting; the former is more challenging, with a stronger atmosphere of actual combat, and the verification of tactics and assessment of effectiveness are also more accurate. "Live-fire shooting will significantly enhance the troops' level of combat readiness and operational capability."

According to public reports, in 2016, the Chinese Navy organized and implemented live-fire training exercises using weapons by the aircraft carrier group. The current live-fire shooting in the Western Pacific is significantly different from previous live-fire exercises conducted in near-sea areas. Zhang Junsha explained that the marine environment, weather conditions, and hydrological conditions in the open sea differ greatly from those in near-sea areas like the Bohai Sea, posing stricter tests on the performance of ships and weaponry, and requiring higher levels of command control and operational proficiency from personnel. "Therefore, live-fire training in the open sea has a positive role in testing and enhancing the combat effectiveness of naval forces and strengthening long-range operational capabilities."

Another noteworthy training subject is "support and cover." Zhang Junsha explained that this subject involves coordinated operations and support cover exercises between the aircraft carrier group and its aircraft, with the main goal of ensuring the safety of the group, enhancing air defense and missile defense capabilities, and improving its survival capability at sea. On the other hand, it also involves providing support and cover for other vessels, such as amphibious landing groups, where the aircraft carrier group first secures air and sea dominance to cover the landing operations of the landing force.

Forming a Strong Deterrent Against "Taiwan Independence"

The PLA's normal training activities often provoke reactions from "Taiwan independence" forces. Reuters reported on the 19th that the head of Taiwan's administrative agency, Su Tseng-chang, absurdly claimed, "Military exercises affect navigation safety and are the biggest source of regional instability."

In response, Zhang Junsha rebutted that this long-range training is not aimed at specific targets, but the aircraft carrier group itself possesses air defense and missile defense, anti-ship strike, and land attack capabilities, which are continuously improving. This will form a strong deterrent against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, which is conducive to maintaining regional peace and stability, as well as safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. "Only those with ulterior motives would take it personally."