The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Wednesday deployed the PLA Navy's task group of Aircraft Carrier Shandong to simulate strikes on ground and maritime targets in joint military drills underway in areas to the east of the Taiwan Island, said a spokesman for the PLA Eastern Theater Command.
The task group of Aircraft Carrier Shandong, in coordination with other naval and air forces units, is in the joint military drills focusing on vessel-aircraft coordination, seizure of area air superiority, and strike on ground and maritime targets, according to Senior Colonel Shi Yi, the spokesman.
The drills, involving multiple forces of the PLA, began on Tuesday, aiming to evaluate the participating troops' capabilities of integrated operations inside and outside the island chain, multi-dimensional blockade and control, and joint operations of multiple services, according to the spokesman.
PLA deploys aircraft carrier to simulate strikes in areas to east of Taiwan island
PLA deploys aircraft carrier to simulate strikes in areas to east of Taiwan island
Investors have been pricing in renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, pushing crude futures to surge by over three percent on Thursday as the second round of U.S.-Iran talks remains at a standstill.
The West Texas Intermediate for June delivery increased by 3.11 percent to settle at 95.85 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for June delivery jumped by 3.10 percent to settle at 105.07 U.S. dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
Data recently released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed U.S. refined oil inventories, including gasoline, last week posted a far steeper drop than the market had expected.
The sharp decline indicates a shortfall in supply to meet downstream demand, contributing to Thursday's surge in oil prices.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will extend the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan's request, but did not specify an end date.
While the move is welcomed, it has yet to generate momentum for dialogue. Iran has made it clear that it will not engage in a new round of talks unless Trump lifts his blockade on ships entering and exiting Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
Crude futures surge by over 3 pct on Thursday amid stalled US-Iran talks
