China's Shandong Carrier Accelerates Routine Combat Training

Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong's recent far sea combat training is part of routine annual exercises aimed at improving the combat capabilities of the carrier group. The drills, which have no specific targets, also stirred reactions from neighboring countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong's far-sea combat training is a routine annual arrangement aimed at enhancing the combat capabilities of the carrier group, China's defence ministry confirmed on Friday.

Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang emphasized that such drills have no specific targets. Philippine Navy Spokesperson Roy Vincent Trinidad described the movement as a 'simple passage' and said they were aware of it.

Trinidad noted that any implied message would be for the whole region, including Vietnam and Taiwan. Taiwan's defence minister reported the Shandong passed near northern Philippines, accompanied by dozens of warplanes on its journey to drills in the Pacific.

(With inputs from agencies.)