The Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong reported it first encountered the USS Nimitz of the US Navy in the South China Sea in the Indo-Pacific. On February 16, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) released a video of the Chinese carrier in the South China Sea in drills. They involved J-15s taking off and landing on the deck as part of these operations.

Chinese, US Warships Encounter in the South China Sea 

Captured in the footage wherein a crew member on the coms was announcing the identity of the Chinese vessel as warship 17 in the Chinese navy, saying it in English and Chinese, reported Eurasian Times.

Based on the WeChat account of the PLAN stated, it made people secure as the ship's crew warned of the American ship.

Recently, in 2021, the Type 055 large destroyer Nanchang, described by Seaforces, participated in the China-Russia maritime joint exercise and cruise. A destroyer crew member had told other ships in English that they were Chinese Navy 101 sailing and to keep a safe distance from it.

A Chinese military expert, and TV commentator, Song Zhongpin, remarked to the Global Times that PLAN vessels and aircraft make English announcements as SOP if they are at sea. It was inferred that the Chinese carrier had the Nimitz nearby in the South China Sea.

Song added that aircraft carriers from navies would advise that they are on the high seas for safe sailing. They indicated that their helicopter units would be on recon to look out and say why they were there to avoid hostility.

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He explained two reasons why the crew of the Chinese vessel would make the English declarations. One is to inform these foreign warships and aircraft to avoid entering the area where the PLAN is practicing drills, which means telling them to avoid it and not saunter into them by accident. Next, the PLAN is warning foreign ships and planes that they are going into Chinese territory, as Nansha and Xisha Islands claimed by China.

While the US 7th Fleet, which is in Japan, told on February 12 that the USN and Marine Corps under the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (NIMCSG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit would be in drills, described them as integrated expeditionary strike force operations in the South China Sea on February 11, per Navy Mil.

Shandong, USS Nimitz Comparable to the First Encounter 

It would be only the second occasion the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group was sent to the South China Sea in 2023. Last January, the CSG did maritime exercises like strike training, submarine warfare, integrated multi-domain and joint training of all assets, and using planes and helicopters in operations.

The carrier group led by Shandong did drills attacking planes, combined attack and defense surface, air, and underwater. Also, the J-15 pilots get cleared for night operations too. Song added the PLAN CSG shows its guts to fight and win.

On March 2022, US Pacific Air Force Commander General Kenneth Wilsbach called attention to a chance meeting of the PLAAF J-20 and USAF F-35 for the first time. He added the Mighty Dragon was impressive. The PLAAF has been using the J-20 in identification and intercept missions.

Shandong had come close to the USS Nimitz in the South China Sea as their first encounter was unavoidable as the two forces were competing in the Indo-Pacific.

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