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China Conducts Dual Aircraft Carrier Combat Drill in South China Sea

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – In what has been described as having a “force multiplier effect,” the Chinese navy for the first time deployed both of its active aircraft carriers to conduct dual-carrier combat drills in the South China Sea last week, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports. The drills took place amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan, the small independent island nation the Chinese government considers part of China.

In a press conference on Thursday (October 31) Snr. Col. Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, stated that the dual-carrier drill was a part of the Chineses military’s annual training plan. Although few details have been given, China’s defense ministry said the drills included “real combat scenario training.”

Video footage released by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy shows 12 J-15 fighter jets taking off and conducting drills from the two aircraft carriers known as Liaoning and the Shandong, SCMP reports. The two aircraft carriers were also seen advancing side by side. Eleven 11 PLAN surface ships took part in the exercise as well.

In a statement to SCMP, military commentator and former PLAN instructor Song Zhongping said the fact the two aircraft carriers were engaged in drills together showed a significant “force multiplier effect.”

“It’s not merely a case of one plus one is greater than two; it’s far greater than that,” Song said.