Just as U.S.-Japan military exercises concluded, the People's Liberation Army Navy fleet remained—and even grew in number, with four 10,000-ton destroyers appearing together, accompanied by over a dozen warships arranged in formation, while a powerful typhoon approached from behind.
Meanwhile, the Liaoning carrier sailed northward, while the USS Roosevelt moved southward, turning the western Pacific into a complex operational environment. The most conspicuous development was the simultaneous appearance of four Type 055 destroyers. With only ten currently in service, deploying 40 percent on a long-range mission—while maintaining a reserve force at home—demonstrates an impressive operational readiness that speaks volumes about capability.
The four Type 055s each serve distinct roles: acting as armed escorts for the Liaoning, yet also capable of independent operations. The last time four of these ships were seen together was during a dual-carrier deployment. Now, a single-carrier group has achieved this scale, indicating a significant advancement in both fleet quantity and deployability of these large destroyers.
According to Japanese defense briefings, Chinese naval surface vessels in the western Pacific number at least sixteen, including an aircraft carrier, four Type 055s, four Type 052Ds, three Type 054As, one similar coast guard vessel, two intelligence-gathering ships, and two replenishment ships. Total displacement reaches approximately 240,000 tons, with around 800 vertical launch cells—an aggregate comparable to the navies of France, Italy, and South Korea, and placing China among the top three globally in vertical launch capacity.
The escort group includes exactly eight Aegis-equipped warships, matching Japan’s entire inventory of Aegis vessels. However, each individual platform features radar systems two generations ahead, with superior missile variety and performance. Combined with four cruiser-class Type 055 destroyers, the overall combat quality is significantly elevated. Labeling this fleet as a "nation-destroying" force is not unfounded on paper. Moreover, China could field two additional such groups—one led by the Shandong and another by the Fujian—indicating substantial strategic surplus.
A fleet of more than a dozen warships operating within a fully integrated system does not represent routine open-sea training but rather a high-intensity, scenario-based exercise simulating real combat conditions. A plausible operational setup sees the Liaoning group playing the blue force conducting offensive support, while two Type 055 task groups assume red-force roles, practicing area denial in coordination with land-based airpower.
The vast operational area inevitably draws foreign surveillance vessels. At that point, coast guard ships take center stage—limited in firepower but tasked with maintaining order within the exercise zone, ensuring observers remain outside designated safety boundaries. A coast guard vessel stationed to guard a carrier exercise demonstrates careful planning. The two intelligence-gathering ships also serve a purpose: their presence during joint U.S.-Japan “Rising Thunder” drills is sufficient to signal respect without overt confrontation.
For the U.S. and Japan, “Rising Thunder 27” claims to be the largest in history—but the core combat asset remains only the Roosevelt strike group. Should a direct engagement occur without support from other military branches, the participating forces would suffer a decisive defeat against the Liaoning group.
Western analysts assess that the intent is to deter Manila and simulate breaking through the first island chain. This latest transit through the Philippine archipelago has also opened a new approach route toward Guam. Media tone in the West has shifted: a decade ago, concurrent carrier operations between China and the U.S. dominated headlines for weeks; today, such events are relegated to weekend news. This shift itself underscores that China’s carrier presence is increasingly viewed as routine in the western Pacific.
The final variable is the approaching super typhoon. Typhoon In-fa is accelerating toward the region, meaning that within days, Chinese naval units, recently departed multinational fleets, and a violent storm will all occupy the same maritime space.
Flight operations, underway replenishment, anti-submarine maneuvers—all must be conducted within narrow windows before the typhoon’s arrival. The true measure of naval strength lies in how well it operates under extreme weather. Observers have already recognized the broader shift: the Pacific Ocean is vast enough for both China and the United States. Some, however, are still learning to hear what that means.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880583738440716/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.