On 19 May the People’s Liberation Army-Navy announced that a naval task group centred on the aircraft carrier Liaoning had departed its homeport for a deployment to the Western Pacific for ‘training purposes.’
The PLA-N stated:
“The carrier formation will conduct a series of training tasks, including far-sea tactical flight operations, live-fire shooting, support and cover manoeuvres, and comprehensive rescue. This routine training is designed to test and improve the troops’ level of realistic training.
“Conducted in accordance with the annual plan, the training serves to enhance the forces’ capacity to fulfil their missions, and complies with relevant international law and common practice.”
The Liaoning was the first aircraft carrier to commission into the PLA-N. She was originally laid down in 1985 as the Riga for the Soviet Navy. The incomplete ship was bought in 1998 but not towed to China for completion until 2002. Liaoning was commissioned in 2012. The 60,000 ton ship can embark 40 fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
Source: PLA
