Two Chinese aircraft carrier strike groups have simultaneously deployed to the Western Pacific – a first for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), Japanese officials said 10 June 2025, US Naval Institute News reports.
Meanwhile, the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) left its homeport in Japan on 10 June 2025 for carrier air wing qualifications.
On 7 June PLAN aircraft carrier CNS Shandong (17), cruiser CNS Zunyi (107), frigates CNS Yuncheng(571) and CNS Hengshui (572), and fleet oiler CNS Chaganhu (905) were sighted sailing in an area 341.7 miles southeast of Miyako Island. On Monday, Shandong launched and recovered embarked fighter aircraft and helicopters, Japan’s Joint Staff Office said. The deployment of Shandong comes as CNS Liaoning (16) and its strike group have been operating in the Philippine Sea.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Japan communicated with China via diplomatic channels to ensure Japan’s security and prevent any threats. He said China is planning to improve the operational capabilities of its two operational aircraft carriers in distant seas and airspace. In this context, Japan’s Defense Buildup Plan promotes installing mobile surveillance and control radars and other equipment on its Pacific-side islands to strengthen its air defense posture.
“We intend to continue to make information from surveillance and monitoring activities public in a timely and appropriate manner, and to demonstrate that Japan is conducting thorough information gathering and surveillance, thereby demonstrating Japan’s will and ability to deter unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or other such actions,” said Nakatani, according to a transcript.
The PLAN on 10 June confirmed the twin deployments.
“PLANS Liaoning and Shandong task groups conducted training in the waters of the Western Pacific to test their capabilities in far seas protection and joint operations. The routine training is organized in accordance with the annual plan, aiming at continuously enhancing the PLA Navy’s capabilities of fulfilling the missions. It is in compliance with relevant international laws and practices and is not directed against any specific country or target,” reads the statement.
On Tuesday, the JSO also issued a release stating that at 4 a.m. that day, PLAN Dongdiao-class surveillance ship Tianlangxing (794) was sighted sailing east in an area 37 miles west of Kuchinoerabu Island and subsequently sailed east to enter the Pacific Ocean. Fast attack craft JS Shirataka (PG-829) shadowed the PLAN ship according to the release.
In other developments, aircraft carrier George Washington departed Yokosuka on Tuesday, according to a release by the Yokosuka City Council and photographs from shipspotters. The Yokosuka City Council also announced attack submarine USS Tucson (SSN-70) departed Yokosuka at 3.56 p.m. on 10 June.
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George Washington had previously carried out an underway for sea trials and training from May 25 to June 4. A release from the Iwakuni City Council on Friday stated the U.S. had announced George Washington will conduct carrier qualification training off the coast of the main island of Kyushu from Tuesday until June 16.
