The Drive:

The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong has entered the South China Sea after nearly three weeks of operating in areas further east. This included sailing with the rest of its strike group within around 400 miles of the strategic U.S. island territory of Guam. This recent cruise in the Western Pacific underscores ongoing efforts by the People’s Liberation Army Navy to expand the scale and scope of routine operations using the flattops it has now and its still growing carrier ambitions overall.

The office of the Joint Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) issued a press release earlier today saying that it had tracked Shandong passing from the Philippine Sea into the South China Sea. One Type 055 destroyer, two Type 052D destroyers, two Type 054A frigates, and a Type 901 replenishment ship were accompanying the carrier at the time, according to that release. Japanese authorities have released images showing J-15 fighter jets and Z-18 and Z-9 helicopters operating from the carrier, as well.

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