China tests carrier for sea combat

From Rappler (Dec 23): China tests carrier for sea combat



THREATENING PH? China's first aircraft carrier, the 'Liaoning' sits berthed at the naval base in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning province on Sept 25, 2012. File photo by AFP

Despite criticism from the Philippine foreign ministry, China has tested its first aircraft carrier for more than 100 times this month in the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), Chinese state media reported Monday, December 23.

In a statement quoted by state-run Xinhua, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said on Sunday, December 22: “The Liaoning successfully performed several tests of the combat system today and organized for the first time comprehensive combat training.”

"Through this operation, we tested the carrier's combat capability and tried the performance of its propulsion and seaworthiness,” the PLA Navy said.

Xinhua said two missile destroyers and two missile frigates joined the aircraft carrier, called the Liaoning, on its voyage.

It added the Liaoning began its training mission on December 5.

The aircraft carrier left for its first-ever trials in the South China Sea on November 26.

Then, on November 27, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) slammed China's move to deploy it. DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said the deployment “serves to threaten the status quo.” (READ: 'China threatening status quo - DFA.)

On November 28, President Benigno Aquino III contradicted the DFA. He said, “Why should anybody consider it a threat?” (READ: Aquino on China carrier: Not a threat.)

China, for its part, defended the move as a “normal training mission” that is “beyond reparoach.” (READ: China on aircraft carrier: 'Beyond reproach.')

South China Sea 'suitable'

Citing the Liaoning's Senior Captain Zhang Zheng, Xinhua explained that tests involve “the ship structure's resistance to stress, sailing speed in deep waters, and stability of weapons and equipment.”

“The South China Sea has deep waters, strong wind and big waves, making it a suitable place for the aircraft carrier to conduct tests and training,” Zhang reportedly said.

The PLA Navy released this update nearly 3 weeks after a tense incident involving Chinese and US ships.

A Chinese naval vessel, which was part of the Liaoning's flotilla, came dangerously close to a US warship in the South China Sea on December 5, US military officials said. (READ: US, Chinese warships in near collision.)

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said China acted in an “irresponsible” way in the stand-off with a US naval ship.

US officials have said that the USS Cowpens, a guided missile cruiser, had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with a Chinese vessel that had come dangerously close in the December 5 incident.

“That action by the Chinese, cutting in front ...100 yards out in front of the Cowpens, was not a responsible action,” Hagel told a news conference.

The Chinese state-run Global Times newspaper, for its part, said the USS Cowpens guided missile cruiser had “come to China's threshold and posed a threat to China's military security.”

“If the American navy and air force always encroach near China's doorstep, 'confrontation' is bound to take place,” said the Global Times, which often takes a nationalistic stance. “As China's strength grows, the US should learn to communicate with and respect China if it doesn't want a collision on the sea or in the air.”

The stand-off underscored tensions that escalated after Beijing last month declared an expanded "air defense identification zone" in the East China Sea. (READ: Complicating the complex: China's ADIZ.)

The Philippines is embroiled in a dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea. Manila filed a historic case against Beijing over this. (READ: PH lawyer on China: Being 'int'l outlaw' has its price.)

http://www.rappler.com/nation/46505-china-liaoning-aircraft-carrier-south-china-sea