China has strengthened its maritime power as the country's second active aircraft carrier achieved “all-weather” combat capacity last year. Named Shandong, the carrier recently completed its final maritime training mission for 2024.

Commissioned in December 2019, Shandong is China's first domestically-built aircraft carrier.

The carrier has also reduced time for deployment of fighter jets. Reports claimed that J-35 will likely operate from Shandong in a combination with the J-15, similar to the combination of the US' F-35 and F/A-18E/F.

The all-weather combat ability achieved by Shandong could translate into more problems for the West, as China seeks to expand its dominance in the seas. It is already the biggest naval force in the world - going by the number of vessels it has deployed in the sea.

Earlier in 2024, Chinese fighter jets had been identified flying alongside Russian air force fighters in Alaska, representing China's growing interest in Arctic.

The all-weather combat ability achieved by the Chinese warship could lead to more such incidents taking place in the future, and raise worries for the US and its allies.

Carrier offers improved consecutive sortie readiness

Reports claimed that the carrier now offers improved consecutive sortie readiness. With round-the-clock all-weather operational capability in complex conditions, the Shandong carrier can reportedly play a major role during combat operations.

Since entering active service, the Shandong carrier has been rapidly integrated into joint operations and long-range maritime combat systems, with the carrier strike group's operational capabilities steadily advancing.

During exercises in April 2023, the Shandong carrier strike group, stationed east of Taiwan, coordinated with forward-deployed maritime and air forces to perform air defense, anti-submarine, and other missions, reported Xinhua.

Reports claimed that the vessel could strike decisively during wartime while remaining poised to deter threats from afar during peacetime. The Shandong carrier has achieved a number of milestones and achievements for the most consecutive aircraft takeoffs and landings.

Coastal operations to distant sea missions

The Shandong carrier had transitioned from coastal operations to distant sea missions and from structural system-based to joint-force training, using open oceans as its training ground. Shandong’s crew had collaborated with researchers to resolve over 100 operational challenges and make numerous technical advancements.

The Chinese PLA Navy's Liaoning aircraft carrier task group carried out a dual-aircraft-carrier formation drill with the Shandong aircraft carrier task group for the first time during a combat-oriented far-sea training exercise in late October in 2024.

Carrier firing guns and missiles

Named after Shandong Province, the Chinese carrier swiftly launched fighter jets when recently a foreign reconnaissance aircraft approached. Officials haven't specified when this event occurred, although they stressed that once airborne, Chinese jets forced the provocative aircraft to retreat.

China’s CCTV Video News Agency recently released a clip of Shandong, revealing the carrier’s technical capabilities, footage of the carrier firing guns and missiles, and footage of fighter jets – including the J-15 “Flying Shark” – taking off from the carrier.

The report also explains how the capabilities and usage of the carrier have been increasing over recent years.

Multi-role-qualified sailors

The Shandong crew’s commitment to cross-speciality training had produced a pool of multi-role-qualified sailors, including elite leaders, technical specialists and logistical experts.

Experts have compared the Shandong with the US Navy’s lead ship and newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford.

It was christened in 2013 and commissioned in 2017 under Donald Trump’s first presidential term. Despite its advanced design, the Ford was declared to have met its “initial operating capability” only in 2022 – nearly a decade after its launch – with US media citing high maintenance costs and challenges throughout post-delivery testing and trials

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Suspected Chinese underwater spy drone found by fishermen

A submarine drone suspected to be from China was recovered in waters off the central Philippines, police said on Thursday, warning of "potential national security implications."

Three fishermen found the drone on Monday around six miles off the coast of San Pascual in Masbate province, a police report said.

The Philippines and China have for years clashed over maritime rights in the South China Sea as well as possession of reefs and islets.

China claims almost the entire sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

The yellow drone marked "HY-119" was found floating at sea before being turned over to authorities, regional police director Andre Dizon told AFP.

It was about six feet long, and torpedo-shaped with fins.

"Based on our open-source research in the internet... HY-119 refers to a Chinese underwater navigation and communication system," Dizon said.

"It has an antenna and an eye that can be used for viewing. Based on our research, this can be used for monitoring and reconnaissance."

Dizon said the drone was not armed, but the police report listed "potential national security implications" as one significance of its recovery.

It was turned over by police to the Philippine Navy on Tuesday, Dizon added.

The Philippine Navy and the Chinese embassy in Manila have yet to respond to AFP's request for comment.

Tensions and military confrontations have escalated in the South China Sea in recent months. In December, Chinese coast guard vessels backed by navy ships fired powerful water cannons and blocked and sideswiped a Philippine patrol vessel.  U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, accused Beijing in a social media post of putting "lives at risk" by disrupting a Philippine maritime operation.

Also last month, the Philippine military deployed a navy ship and air force planes to shadow a Russian submarine, which passed through the South China Sea. One official said the navy was surprised to see the vessel because it was a "very unique submarine."

The U.S. has warned that it's obligated to defend the Philippines if Filipino forces come under attack in the South China Sea.

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