Liaoning's Pacific move: Tension escalates near Taiwan
"China's Liaoning aircraft carrier group has entered waters near the Bashi Channel and is likely to proceed into the western Pacific," according to a statement from Taiwan's Ministry of Defence. The Taiwanese armed forces have been put on alert.
The Bashi Channel is a 100-kilometre strait between Taiwan's small island of Lan Yu and the Philippine island of Mavulis. A flotilla of Chinese vessels has entered the channel's waters, heading towards the Pacific Ocean.
From Beijing's perspective, this is a clear provocation and show of force: the area is considered a potential flashpoint for conflict between China and the United States. Since the resumption of suspended cooperation in 2016, the US Navy and Filipino ships have conducted joint exercises and patrols in these waters.
The presence of Chinese forces south of Taiwan has put its armed forces on alert and prompted Taiwan's Ministry of Defence to release a propaganda film titled "Fully Prepared and Waiting for Battle Time" on social media.
Liaoning – China's first aircraft carrier
Liaoning is the first aircraft carrier of the Chinese Navy. It was built in the 1980s in a shipyard in Mykolaiv as a unit of project 1143.6 with the intention of serving in the Soviet fleet.
After the dissolution of the USSR, construction formally continued, but in practice, work was suspended due to a lack of funding. In 1995, Russia decided not to complete the vessel's construction. At 68% complete, the aircraft carrier was sold to China at a price four times lower than its scrap value.
A Chinese company purchased the vessel to convert it into a floating casino. However, it was then handed over to the Chinese Navy, which completed the vessel and modified the original design.
Liaoning is 306 metres long and displaces approximately 75,000 tonnes. Its air wing comprises 34 to 50 aircraft and helicopters, including naval fighter J-15 (an unlicensed copy of Russian Su-33s) and various helicopters.
Liaoning has become a knowledge base for the Chinese industry, allowing it to gain expertise in aircraft carrier construction. The next ship of this class, built in China—Shandong—is a Chinese development and enhancement of project 1143.6, and the next—Fujian—is a ship designed and built from scratch by the Chinese industry.
