China operates two carriers in Pacific

Two Chinese aircraft carrier groups were spotted conducting
simultaneous operations in the western Pacific for the first time,
according to Japan’s defence ministry


N. KOREA
Beijing
CHINA
VIETNAM
S. KOREA
East China Sea
TAIWAN
South China Sea
First island chain

Shandong
Jun 9

Okinotori Island (Japan)
PHILIPPINES
INDONESIA
PACIFIC OCEAN

Liaoning
Jun 7

Minamitori Island (Japan)
Guam (U.S. base)
Second island chain


Approximate
location of Chinese
carrier groups
JAPAN

Island chain strategy
established by U.S.
to keep China’s naval
forces in check

500km
310 miles


SHANDONG: Commissioned 2019

First domestically-
built carrier

Length:
305m

Ski-jump: Ramp assists
take-off but aircraft cannot
launch carrying full fuel
and weapon load

Displacement: 66,000 tonnes 	Speed: 31 knots (57km/h) 	Crew: 2,000 (est)


LIAONING: Commissioned 2012

First carrier, built on
hull of former Soviet
vessel

Length:
305m

Flight deck: 14,700 sq m
(80% size of U.S.
Nimitz-class carrier)

Displacement: 60,000 tonnes 	Speed: 29 knots (53km/h) 	Crew: 1,960


Sources: Bloomberg, France 24, Reuters 
© GRAPHIC NEWS