Facing a complex global environment, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy is rigorously improving the comprehensive abilities of its soldiers, training them to win on the modern battlefield.
August 1 marks the 97th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
China's aircraft destroyer Xianyang took part in a drill to boost its operations command system earlier this year. After maneuvering in the South China Sea, the eastern Indian Ocean, and the Western Pacific, the Xianyang destroyer fleet returned to dock in Sanya in southern China's Hainan province.
The Type 055 destroyer was commissioned in March 2023. It is equipped with advanced weapons systems capable of carrying out missions independently.
"After a year of solid training, we have organized dozens of live-fire and self-sufficiency tests. We believe that as long as the Communist Party of China and the people give the order, we can win the battle," said Yan Jinqing, a sailor on the Xianyang.
The Type 055 destroyer not only accompanies aircraft carriers but also serves as the command ship, because of its flexibility in dealing with emergencies.
"As long as I find that the target has launched an attack, I will fight back. Why didn't I take the first shot? Because I had the confidence. I would not fire the first shot, but I would never allow the enemy to have the opportunity to fire the second shot," Yan said.
Patrols take place not only on water, but also in the skies. Early warning aircraft can detect potential threats, track, monitor, and guide attacks against targets.
"As pilots, we are always ready for battle, and the sea and air are our battlefields. Although we do not have the weapons and equipment to confront the enemy head-on, we move forward bravely in the face of powerful enemies to protect the sovereignty of the motherland and the tranquility of the sea and air," said Liu Guojun, a navy pilot.
Jet pilots are considered the elite among navy officers and the aircraft they fly from the carrier can extend the combat radius.
Li Bo has just finished his studies at Naval Aviation University, an academy established by the PLA Navy to train its own carrier-based fighters.
"I remember my first takeoff and landing on an aircraft carrier. At first, when it was very high in the sky, the aircraft carrier looked very small, like a stamp. Then as the jet slid down and got closer to the carrier, the carrier became bigger and bigger. After landing, I suddenly had a magical feeling. I was so excited that I became an aircraft carrier pilot," Li said.
Before training to become a pilot, Li was assigned to a three-year program at Peking University which gives navy pilots like Li a broader knowledge and vision.
"This training model is closely related to the transformation of our navy. Because our navy needs to transform, we need a better training model to adapt to this transformation," he said.
After graduation, the pilots are assigned to carrier-based units, where they undergo real combat training, such as taking off and landing aircraft at nighttime or in bad weather.
Xu Yue has participated in carrier group training on the open seas many times.
"The situation in the sea and air changes very quickly. When we go to the open sea, we attract the attention of the whole world, so we must be calm and professional. I think we should see more of the world, stand on the shoulders of our predecessors, and see the wider sea," Xu said.
Potential risks loom far from shore. Encountering foreign troops is a big test for the crew.
CUES – or the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea – is an agreement between more than 20 countries in the Pacific Rim, including China and the U.S. Taking a risk management approach, it establishes a mechanism for peaceful coexistence.
"If we encounter an emergency, on the one hand, we can use the international laws we have mastered, and on the other hand, we can rely on our entire aircraft carrier system to operate, so that we can reduce accidents," Xu said.
The PLA Navy has been rapidly developing its carrier group combat skills. In May 2023, the Shandong aircraft carrier group conducted its maiden far sea exercises in the West Pacific. The group took part in combat alert patrols and exercises around Taiwan island, and carried out course-oriented practice, and flight sorties, a full examination of the crew’s comprehensive skills.
The Shangdong aircraft carrier is part of the South China Sea Fleet, while the Liaoning aircraft carrier belongs to the North China Sea Fleet. They are the strategic vessels in the PLA Navy's mission to build a blue-water navy.
"As support personnel on the aircraft carrier, we must keep a close eye on future combat needs with a fighting spirit. We must race against time, improve accuracy, and improve flight support capabilities," said Li Yankui, a jet pilot on Aircraft Carrier Liaoning.
China launched its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, in 2022. It is the first domestically made carrier that uses catapults top launch fighter jets. The new-generation vessel represents another milestone in the modernization of the PLA Navy.
China rigorously improving capabilities of navy forces, soldiers
