China’s PLA has conducted drills in the South China Sea featuring landing ships amid tensions over disputed islands with the Philippines. A naval task force of landing ships Danxiashan, Laotieshan, and Lushan conducted a four-day combat exercise in the South China Sea. State broadcaster CCTV said that the drills were carried out “recently” and did not specify when they took place. Training tasks included two ships berthing alongside each other and rescue practice, CCTV reported. Meanwhile, China has revealed new details of the Fujian, the world’s largest conventionally powered aircraft carrier. CCTV’s in-depth review revealed the Fujian uses an advanced electromagnetic catapult, a feat once thought impossible on a conventionally powered ship.
