Chinese Warships Gather for Naval Exercises in Pacific Ocean

A Chinese aircraft carrier and more than 20 other Chinese warships gathered in the Western Pacific for China’s largest-known carrier-based drills, foreign defense officials reported on September 12.

The Shandong, the second aircraft carrier of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, was observed heading toward more than 20 warships in the waters between Taiwan, the Philippines and the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.

This is by far the largest number of ships we have seen training with any Chinese carrier so far. The typical escort we have seen in the past has been four destroyers or frigates plus one support ship, so the numbers this time are much larger. They are expressing their displeasure with the various military exercises that have been underway in their periphery.
—Su Tzu-yun, analyst at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taipei

The Chinese drills follow a series of military exercises and naval drills conducted by the United States in and around the South China Sea.

The Trumpet says: Tensions over the South China Sea and surrounding waters are rising as China grows more aggressive. In his article “China Is Steering the World Toward War,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explained that China will increasingly seek control over more and more of the world despite resistance from other nations. “China is being aggressive and provocative,” he wrote. “Everything is headed in the direction of war.”