China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier and its accompanying vessels returned to a Chinese port on Monday after completing more than 40 days of training exercises in the South China Sea and western Pacific Ocean, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Focus on Combat Readiness

The exercises centred on combat preparedness and included air-defence operations, anti-ship strike missions, long-range rescue tasks, support operations and live-fire drills.

According to CCTV, the carrier group conducted multiple rounds of coordinated ship-air offensive and defensive exercises designed to improve operational readiness in complex maritime environments.

Joint Operations in the Western Pacific

The Liaoning carrier group also carried out joint drills with an amphibious assault ship formation in the western Pacific Ocean.

Chinese media said the exercises were aimed at strengthening coordination and enhancing the navy’s ability to conduct long-range operations far from the mainland.

China Accuses Japan of ‘Harassment’

CCTV claimed that during the deployment, the Liaoning carrier group handled what it described as “repeated close-range tracking, harassment and provocation” by Japanese ships and aircraft in a professional and restrained manner.

The broadcaster did not provide further details about the encounters.

Japanese Monitoring of Carrier Activity

Earlier this month, Japan’s Defence Ministry reported that it had monitored the Liaoning aircraft carrier and accompanying vessels operating east of the Philippine island of Luzon in late May.

The deployment drew attention as China continues to expand the operational range of its carrier fleet and increase naval activity across the western Pacific.

(with inputs from Reuters)