China Advances Naval Power with Dual Aircraft Carrier Drills Near Japan

As tensions escalate between China and the United States on the global stage, Beijing is pushing the operational boundaries of its navy, testing how effectively its warships can collaborate far from home waters. Recent drills involving two Chinese aircraft carriers provided a striking demonstration of China’s intent to bolster its influence in the western Pacific.

From late May through much of June, near Japanese waters, the carriers Liaoning and Shandong conducted numerous takeoffs and landings of fighter jets and helicopters—sometimes exceeding 90 daily operations—according to Japanese military reports. Each carrier was escorted by multiple warships to ensure protection.

These maneuvers, which prompted Japan to voice serious concerns, serve as a preview of how China might leverage its growing fleet of carriers to project military power into the Pacific and exert pressure on regional allies aligned with the United States.

This marked the first occasion that two Chinese carriers operated together beyond the so-called “first island chain”—a strategic line of islands east of China including Okinawa, home to U.S. Marines, and Taiwan—and moved toward Guam, a key U.S. military base. Experts note that Guam lies within the “second island chain,” which extends from Tokyo to south of Palau.

Chinese naval operations near or beyond the second island chain increase potential risks to U.S. forces stationed around Guam, underscoring the growing reach of China’s maritime capabilities.

These carrier exercises signal what lies ahead. China aims for its carriers to operate independently at distant locations during both peacetime and conflict, necessitating extended training far from its mainland, experts say.

Last month, China’s navy announced that the two carriers and their escorting warships were conducting exercises focused on far-sea defense and joint operations. The carrier groups also engaged in simulated confrontations against each other, highlighting tactical development.

Japan’s defense ministry reported instances where Chinese fighter jets flew dangerously close to Japanese surveillance aircraft, raising tensions further.

Operating aircraft from carriers presents significant challenges and risks. By training in distant Pacific waters, China’s naval crews gained critical experience navigating unfamiliar environments, sharpening skills valuable for future global deployments.

Looking ahead, China may deploy its carriers and support vessels to reinforce territorial claims in the South China Sea or assert influence amid disputes with South Korea and Japan. Additionally, carriers could be dispatched to remote regions as a demonstration of military strength to protect China’s economic and security interests.

Currently, China maintains a single overseas military base in Djibouti. However, aircraft carriers provide the flexibility to conduct extensive aviation missions anywhere the navy operates. Strategically, vital routes include those stretching to the Middle East via the Indian Ocean.

Despite their capabilities, carriers do not guarantee regional maritime dominance. In a direct confrontation with the United States, both sides’ carriers remain vulnerable to missile and torpedo attacks, potentially limiting their initial roles in any conflict, particularly over Taiwan.

Taiwan’s proximity to China’s coast and numerous air bases diminishes the carriers’ importance in controlling airspace during a conflict over the island. However, carriers could be used to intercept U.S. naval forces attempting to support Taiwan, though this would expose them to greater risks.

Alternatively, China could deploy carriers to enforce a blockade on Taiwan, using their surveillance capabilities to exert pressure on military and commercial vessels and aircraft operating in the region.

China presently operates three carriers, all diesel-powered and generally less advanced than the United States’ eleven nuclear-powered carriers. Projections estimate China may field six carriers by 2040, with a fourth carrier reportedly under construction that could feature nuclear propulsion, enhancing range and endurance.

Chinese President Xi Jinping appears committed to expanding the nation’s carrier fleet and other significant military assets as part of efforts to affirm China’s status as a global power. Following recent Pacific exercises, the Shandong carrier docked in Hong Kong, where limited public tours were allowed.

Aircraft carriers are potent symbols of national power. The recent high-profile carrier maneuvers demonstrate the political significance China places on showcasing such formidable warships.

Historically, China hesitated to develop aircraft carriers due to economic constraints. This stance shifted after 1996, when the U.S. deployed two carrier groups near Taiwan amid heightened tensions triggered by China’s missile tests intended to intimidate pro-independence supporters.

In 1998, China acquired an unfinished Soviet-era carrier from Ukraine, which it refurbished and commissioned in 2012 as its first carrier, the Liaoning.

Although budgetary concerns have eased, China’s naval leadership is proceeding cautiously with carrier expansion. The Shandong, China’s second carrier and first domestically built vessel, was launched in 2017. The newest carrier, the Fujian, launched in 2022, remains inactive but features an advanced electromagnetic catapult system capable of launching heavier and better-armed aircraft.

China’s carrier program is still in its early stages, with steady, incremental improvements shaping the navy’s growing capabilities.