Shandong aircraft carrier advances toward blue waters with enhanced combat capability

China's aircraft carrier Shandong has made significant strides in combat capacity over the past five years, with groups of soldiers now proudly guarding the carrier as it confidently sails toward blue waters.

One of the naval officers piloting aircraft, Qiu Zekai, along with his comrades, has grown alongside the Shandong aircraft carrier.

As an aircraft handler, Qiu must quickly assess the situation of both pilots and aircraft in just a few seconds. Using his professional knowledge and efficient gestures, he plays a crucial role in maximizing the aircraft's potential. The combat capability of an aircraft carrier is directly reflected in its sortie rate. The key is speed.

"Data shows that last year, we reached the highest number of sorties to date. This year, we've maintained excellent performance and continued to break records. This efficiency is what powers Shandong's journey into blue waters," said Qiu.

Qiu recalls being impressed by the sight of missiles being launched from a destroyer, soaring into the sky like arrows.

"This was my first time witnessing a missile launch. I was both shocked and excited, with my heart pounding. The combat capability of our crew was right before our eyes," said Qiu.

Looking ahead, Qiu is confident that he will pilot even more advanced aircraft on a variety of aircraft carriers, which will continue to sail further into the future.

The Shandong — China's second aircraft carrier and the first wholly designed and built in the country — displaces at least 50,000 metric tons of water. Commissioned in December 2019 to the South Sea Fleet, it is currently the largest and most sophisticated naval ship now in any Asian navy.

Shandong aircraft carrier advances toward blue waters with enhanced combat capability

A group of Chinese white dolphins, known as the "giant pandas of the sea", was recently spotted in waters west of Xiamen City in east China's Fujian Province.

Local residents observed five adult dolphins swimming together, accompanied by a small gray calf. Experts said the small dolphin is a newborn calf, less than a month old, and in good health.

This is the first record of a newborn white dolphin spotted in Xiamen this year.

Thanks to continuous improvements in local ecological environment in recent years, the population of Chinese white dolphins in Xiamen's waters has remained stable, with at least one calf born every year.

Newborn calves are typically gray in color. As they grow older, they gradually shed their dark spots and turn white.

Highly sensitive to marine water quality, the Chinese white dolphin, an endangered species under first-class national protection in China, is also viewed as a health indicator of the ecosystem they live in.

Chinese white dolphins spotted in waters off Xiamen