China’s dual aircraft carrier drills in Pacific rattle US and Japan
In June 2025, the Japanese defense officials followed the carriers that exercised about 1,200 kilometers south of Tokyo to the east of Iwo Jima and roughly equal to the strategic US base in Guam. Carriers were accompanied by a series of escort and their forces have taken off and landing more than 1000 aircraft for weeks, a much higher tempo than previously seen.
While Liaoning approached the special economic region of Japan near the isolated islands, such as Minamitorishima, both carriers remained in international waters. For Tokyo and Washington, this made a clear effort to test the borders of Beijing and to claim operational abilities far beyond China’s surroundings.
Christopher Sharman, Director of the Chinese Maritime Research Institute, Christopher Sharman, said: “This is a look at their ambitions for the blue water navy.”
Strategic power game
Military analysts and regional observers interpret Chinese maneuvers as a calculated message. Although the people of the people of the Independence Army (plan) have previously made exercises near Taiwan and within the South China Sea, operating two carriers so far has shown both increasing confidence and capability.
Narushige Michishita, a strategist at the Japan National Policy Studies Institute, warned for inferences for Taiwan:
“Chinese aircraft carriers can be the key to applying a blockade on Taiwan or to deter him.
Iwo Jima, in which these exercises occurred near Guam, a Linhpin US military center, and Japan and the United States, a very important World War II War, contribute only to symbolism.
Naval forces
Numerically compared, China’s carrier fleet is still behind the United States. However, progress is felt and narrowing the ability gap continues to be a clear focal point for Beijing.
As of 2025, China operates three aircraft carriers: Liaoning, Shandong and Fujian. Chinese carriers are mainly diesel -supported, but the latest ship Fujian has an advanced electromagnetic aircraft launching system (EMALS).
The United States uses a fleet of 11 nuclear energy aircraft carriers, including famous Nimitz and Ford classes. In the case of a built -in aircraft capacity, Chinese carriers such as Shandong can have up to 36 aircraft, while American carriers can throw and save more than 60 aircraft each. In terms of operational experience, China has accumulated more than ten years of carrier operations, while the US has more than 70 years of expertise in the operation of these powerful maritime assets.
China’s newest carrier, Fujiansea trials and is expected to join the fleet until the end of 2025. It represents China’s splashing for modern aviation capabilities with EMALS.
Dangerous closing
In the midst of bilateral carrier exercises, Japanese defense officials expressed their concerns about airspace violations. Chinese fighters flew provocative maneuvers near Japanese reconnaissance planes. In more than one situation, these intersections came in a dangerous way close distance. Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara,
“China’s actions increase the security situation in Indo-Pacific. We see these exercises as part of a larger coercion model.”
In one response, Japan supports coastal defenses, expands military bases on the remote islands and integrates more closely with US forces under the revised national defense strategy.
In Washington
Indo-Pacific Command Japan, Guam, the Philippines and the US, covering military operations, the United States closely monitoring these developments. The Pentagon stressed that it points to an increasing change in China’s global military appearance.
While the US navy maintains superior aircraft carrier technology and global logistics, it should now struggle with a growing and increasingly active Chinese navy in controversial sea regions.
What does it mean for this region?
Drills are not only about hardware or pilot training, but point to China’s vision for itself in the world stage. Global military planners have long followed China’s carrier program as a criterion how far they want to go. Now, the message is open: Beijing plans to challenge the free operations of the US and the Allied forces in the Pacific – even challenges – even challenges.
“Political aircraft carriers are the final status symbols of the Final Status, Rand said Timothy Heath, Senior International Defense Researcher, Senior International Defense Researcher. “China’s leadership values them as a means of prestige, deterrence and regional domination.”
For Japan, the US and other Indo-Pacific democracies, the clock is going to provide strategic advantages.
