The simulated military exercise conducted by China around the island of Taiwan began on April 8 and ended on April 10.
According to the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), its Shandong aircraft carrier strike group, including at least one Type 055 guided-missile destroyer, participated in the exercise on the afternoon of April 10.
Video shows J-15 fighters taking off from the Shandong aircraft carrier to participate in the exercise.
The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) said on April 10 that its aircraft carrier Shandong had participated in simulated drills around Taiwan. Photo: BBC
According to the Japanese Defense Ministry , the Shandong aircraft carrier also conducted air operations in the previous days. Fighter jets and helicopters took off and landed on the ship about 120 times from April 7 to 9.
Shandong is China's second aircraft carrier and the first domestically designed and built aircraft carrier. The ship has been in service with the Southern Fleet since December 2019.
China Daily reported that Chinese air force units mobilized dozens of fighter jets, bombers (loaded with live missiles), early warning and electronic warfare aircraft to "seal off airspace" around Taiwan as well as "fight against key targets on the island."
On the ground, ballistic and cruise missile forces track enemy ships and conduct simulated attacks.
PLA Eastern Theater Command spokesman Shi Yi stressed that the drills from April 8 to 10 were a warning to the outside world and a necessary move to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Late on April 10, China announced that the exercise had “concluded successfully.” Taiwan earlier said it had spotted 70 Chinese fighter jets and 11 ships in waters around the island.
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