US Ally Issues Update on China's Double Aircraft Carrier Moves in Pacific

The Chinese military has concluded its unprecedented dual aircraft carrier deployment in the broader western Pacific, as one of the warships was spotted leaving the region, Japan has said.
Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email.
The Chinese navy is the world's largest by hull count, enabling the East Asian power to steadily expand its military reach and presence within and beyond the western Pacific, challenging U.S. naval dominance as well as the security of America's allies and partners.
Both of China's aircraft carriers in active service-CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong-have been operating simultaneously in waters east of the First Island Chain, a U.S. maritime defensive line formed by Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, for the first time since June 7.
This rare Chinese naval operation, closely monitored by Japan-a U.S. treaty ally-comes as the U.S. redeploys one of its two aircraft carriers, USS Nimitz, to the Middle East from the western Pacific, in response to rising tensions stemming from the Iran-Israel conflict.
The Japanese Defense Ministry issued another update on the Chinese dual aircraft carrier deployment on Friday, revealing that the Liaoning and its naval task group returned to the East China Sea from the Philippine Sea after transiting the Miyako Strait that same day.
Meanwhile, the Shandong-led naval task group continued operating in waters east of the northern Philippines from Tuesday to Thursday. It remains unclear whether this Chinese flotilla will return to the western side of the First Island Chain by transiting the Luzon Strait.
Both waterways-located along the First Island Chain-are key gateways for China's naval operations in the broader western Pacific. The Miyako Strait lies in Japan's southwestern waters, while the Luzon Strait separates Taiwan to the north and the Philippines to the south.
With regard to the Chinese aircraft carriers' flight operations involving fighter jets and helicopters, the Liaoning conducted 150 takeoffs and landings from Tuesday to Thursday, while the Shandong executed 120 takeoffs and landings during the same three-day period.
The Liaoning, underway in the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea since May 25, has performed a total of 700 aircraft takeoffs and landings. Meanwhile, the Shandong has conducted 350 takeoffs and landings since June 9, according to Japan's Defense Ministry.
In total, fighter jets and helicopters from the Chinese aircraft carriers executed over 1,000 takeoffs and landings during this western Pacific deployment, which lasted nearly a month.
Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said in a statement on June 13: "China's carrier training was conducted in international waters, was not directed at any specific country or target, and fully complied with international law and international practice."
Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference on June 10: "Let me reiterate that Chinese naval vessels' activities in those waters are fully consistent with international law and international practices. Our national defense policy is defensive in nature. We hope Japan will view those activities objectively and rationally."
The objectives of this Chinese dual aircraft carrier deployment remain to be seen. It is unclear whether the U.S. will enhance its naval presence in the western Pacific.
Related Articles
China's Fungus-A Biological Weapons Attack on America's Food Supply? | OpinionUS Grows Defense Partnership Next Door to ChinaUS's NATO and Pacific Allies Sail Warships Near China's CoastTrump TikTok Executive Order Sparks GOP Backlash: 'Brazenly Illegal'
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Newsweek

2 hours ago

• Newsweek

Swing Voters Skeptical of Trump Involving US in Iran-Israel Conflict—Data

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Swing voters are resistant to President Donald Trump potentially involving the United States in the conflict between Iran and Israel, according to data exclusively shared with Newsweek by Impact Social. Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment. Why It Matters Trump is weighing whether to involve the U.S. in the conflict, which escalated earlier this month when Israel launched new strikes against Iran aimed at diminishing its nuclear capabilities. Israel, as well as the U.S., has warned Iran may be close to having the ability to build nuclear weapons. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi told Fox News there is no proof Iran has plans to create a nuclear weapon. However, many Americans would not necessarily be on board with the U.S. joining the conflict, recent surveys suggest, putting Trump in a challenging situation. The White House said on Thursday that Trump will make a decision within two weeks, and European leaders engaged with Iran on Friday in hopes of de-escalating the situation. What To Know Swing voters are skeptical of the U.S. joining the conflict, according to the Impact Social data. The data stem from Impact Social's analysis of social media discussions among swing voters, including disillusioned Trump voters, centrists, and Obama-Trump voters, using social media discussions dating back to May 2016 to identify more than 40,000 swing voters. Only 9 percent of posts analyzed indicated pro-war sentiment, while 28 percent were anti-war. The majority, at 63 percent, were more neutral, such as sharing articles about the situation. Of those sharing anti-war sentiment, 24 percent expressed it would be "reckless" to enter the conflict, while 18 percent raised concerns about the U.S. being "used by" Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Fifteen percent expressed blame toward Trump himself over dismantling the Obama administration's Iran nuclear deal. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on June 5, 2025. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on June 5, Snape of Impact Social wrote that anti-war swing voters "voters draw parallels to Iraq and Afghanistan, accusing Trump of repeating past mistakes." "Many fear the U.S. is lurching toward 'World War III,' with Iran seen as a more formidable opponent and the stakes higher than in previous engagements," he wrote. "Some accuse the Trump administration of twisting intelligence to fit a pro-war narrative—an eerie echo, they note, of 2003." Some swing voters also feel the U.S. entering the conflict would be a betrayal of Trump's pledge of no new wars on the campaign trail, Snape wrote. "Other critics target Trump directly, blaming him for dismantling the Iran nuclear deal brokered by the Obama administration. This reversal, they argue, eliminated a functional—if imperfect—deterrent to Iranian nuclear ambitions, replacing it with a confrontational strategy that has now spiraled out of control," he wrote. Among those who shared pro-war posts, 35 percent believe it is now time to "finish the job," viewing Iran potentially having nuclear weapons as a "direct threat to the U.S. and Israel." Thirty percent praised Trump's leadership. Nineteen percent shared general anti-Iran sentiment. Those voters "trust him to manage the situation and protect America." "For them, Trump is a commander who understands the stakes, one who has 'saved America before' and will do so again," he wrote. "Many cite previous Iranian aggression, including proxy attacks on U.S. troops, as justification for action." Snape said that what is most striking is the "deep skepticism cutting across both left and right-leaning swing voters." "This is not a reflexive anti-war response but rather a specific rejection of the idea that U.S. interests are served by joining Israel's military campaign. Critics cite historical precedent, perceived manipulation by foreign leaders, and fears of another endless entanglement in the Middle East," he said. What People Are Saying President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday: "I don't want to fight either. I'm not looking to fight. But if it's a choice between fighting and them having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do, and maybe we won't have to fight." Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, in a public address: "The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage. The U.S. entering in this matter is 100 percent to its own detriment. The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm that Iran may encounter." Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, Wednesday on X (formerly Twitter): "The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war. That's why I filed a resolution to require a debate and vote in Congress before we send our nation's men and women in uniform into harm's way." What Happens Next Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with European diplomats in Geneva on Friday. Araghchi said Iran would not engage with the U.S. while Israeli strikes continued.

New York Post

2 hours ago

• New York Post

A ‘big, beautiful deal', America's aerospace ‘revolution' and other commentary

Iran-Israel war: A 'Big, Beautiful Deal' 'Proponents of an American strike believe that we have no realistic choice other than to help Israel do as thorough a job as possible in setting back Iran's nuclear ambitions,' contends The New York Times' Bret Stephens. True, after Trump drops bunker busters on the Fordow nuclear site, the question is 'what comes afterward.' But the president can follow that up with 'a diplomatic bunker buster on Tehran': lifting economic sanctions and forcing the Israelis to stop the bombings. 'Nobody, perhaps even President Trump himself, knows for sure whether the United States will wind up joining Israel in launching military strikes on Iran.' But 'there's a big, beautiful deal to be struck here. For all sides.' Tech watch: America's Aerospace 'Revolution' Advertisement 'From LAX to coastal San Diego,' dozens of new firms are 'embracing the country's emerging 'hard tech' revolution,' cheers Joel Kotkin at UnHerd. Including around 40 spinoffs of SpaceX, they make everything — largely for aerospace — 'from drones to engines, drilling systems to satellites.' Together, they can 'restore' America's 'blue-collar prosperity.' Given the 'military implications' of these products, these firms embrace a 'Right-wing patriotism' and so threaten to change corporate culture. Yet 'the biggest pool of money' is not from the Defense Department but the 'burgeoning space industry.' And the 'technology looks set to dominate our century. For if those robots and satellites are all impressive enough in theory, they could yet be used as a geopolitical battering ram' — with US innovators as 'riposte to Chinese central planning.' Libertarian: Czechs to the Rescue in Ukraine 'Through online fundraisers organized by community platforms like 'Gift for Putin,' 'Team for Ukraine,' or 'Just Retribution,' Czech citizens have donated millions of dollars toward' arms for Ukraine, marvels Miroslav Hanušniak at Reason. These include much-needed rifle magazines, howitzer shells, a Black Hawk helicopter and 'more than $11.5 million toward the direct purchase of First Person View drones.' Czechs 'show no signs of slowing down. New initiatives continue to emerge, finding creative ways to support the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.' In neighboring Slovakia, citizens defied their Russian-leaning 'government's stance and joined the fundraising efforts, contributing millions.' It's a reminder that 'real power and meaningful change do not always come from parliaments.' Advertisement Defense beat: Space — Aukus' Final Frontier 'It's time for Aukus,' the Australia, US and UK alliance, 'to grow,' argues Scott Morrison at The Wall Street Journal, and Trump 'is the right person for the job.' Aukus 'enables Australia's acquisition of its first nuclear-powered sub fleet' and 'facilitates cooperation on advanced military capabilities,' notes the former Australian prime minister. But 'if our nations are serious about deterrence, then we must prepare for new theaters of geopolitical competition' — particularly space. Aukus should be expanded to consolidate 'cooperation across launch systems, satellite architecture, cybersecurity, data integration and industrial innovation.' It must ensure that space 'is secured by free nations, not our enemies. American and Australia have stood shoulder to shoulder on land, at sea and in the skies. Now we must do the same in orbit.' Hispanic pastor: Riots Hurt Protesters' Cause Advertisement 'Once more, the streets of Los Angeles are filled with chaos' because of 'modern-day anarchists,' blasts Samuel Rodriguez for The Hill. Blame it on Team Biden's border 'failure,' which 'permitted millions to enter our country without any real verification process.' Now 'the majority of these riots are being led, organized, and amplified by Antifa factions and ultra-left progressive groups whose mission is not reform but total revolution.' These thugs are 'protesting the deportation of individuals who are violent criminals, rapists, murderers, or pedophiles.' 'There is a legitimate space for expressing concern over the deportation of longstanding immigrants who have lived here peacefully,' but 'these riots hurt and did not help their cause. This lawlessness is antithetical to everything the immigrant rights movement hopes to achieve.' — Compiled by The Post Editorial Board

Yahoo

4 hours ago

• Yahoo

Trump Pledge of Quick China Magnet Flows Has Yet to Materialize

(Bloomberg) -- Almost 10 days since President Donald Trump declared a 'done' trade deal with Beijing, US companies remain largely in the dark on when they'll receive crucial magnets from China — and whether Washington, in turn, will allow a host of other exports to resume. Security Concerns Hit Some of the World's 'Most Livable Cities' One Architect's Quest to Save Mumbai's Heritage From Disappearing JFK AirTrain Cuts Fares 50% This Summer to Lure Riders Off Roads NYC Congestion Toll Cuts Manhattan Gridlock by 25%, RPA Reports Taser-Maker Axon Triggers a NIMBY Backlash in its Hometown While there has been a trickle of required permits, many American firms that need Chinese minerals are still waiting on Beijing's approval for shipments, according to people familiar with the process. China's system is improving but remains cumbersome, they said, contrary to Trump's assurances rare earths would flow 'up front' after a June 11 accord struck in London. The delays are holding an array of American industries hostage to the rocky US-China relationship, as some firms wait for magnets and others face restrictions selling to China. That friction risks derailing a fragile tariff truce clinched by Washington and Beijing in Geneva last month, and triggering fresh rounds of retaliation. Interviews with multiple Western buyers, industry insiders and officials familiar with discussions revealed frustration over vague policies in both countries and lingering confusion about what level of magnet approvals from China would trigger Trump to abandon his tit-for-tat export curbs. 'Even if export approvals accelerate, there are so many unknowns about the licensing regime that it's impossible for companies to have a strong sense of certainty about future supply,' said Christopher Beddor, deputy China research director at Gavekal Research. 'At a minimum, they need to factor in a real possibility that talks could break down again, and exports will be halted.' In response to China's sluggishness on magnets, Trump last month restricted US firms from exporting chip software, jet engines and a key ingredient to make plastic to China until President Xi Jinping restores rare-earth exports. Companies subject to Washington's curbs have halted billions of dollars in planned shipments as they wait for players in unrelated sectors to secure permits from Beijing, which could take weeks or even months to process, given the current pace. Corporate chiefs affected by the export-control spat have sought clarity from the administration on its strategy, according to people familiar with the matter. The Commerce Department — which administers the rules — has offered few details, they added. Oil industry executives have tried to convince Trump officials that blocking exports of ethane — a gas used to make plastics — is contrary to US national security interests, according to people familiar with the deliberations. Business leaders have asked for export restrictions to be removed but that's been unsuccessful so far, the people said. Energy and chemical giant INEOS Group Holdings SA has one tanker full of ethane waiting to go, while Enterprise Products Partners has three to four cargo ships stuck in limbo, according to a person familiar with the matter. That's particularly galling because China has adequate ethane supplies in reserve and can switch to using naphtha from the Middle East and other regions for much of their production, the people said. Representatives from the companies did not respond to requests for comment. Industry figures have consistently told the Trump administration the ethane export restrictions are inflicting more pain on US interests than on China, according to the people. China's Ministry of Commerce, which administers export licenses, hasn't responded to Bloomberg's questions on how many for rare earths have been granted since the London talks. At a regular briefing in Beijing on Thursday, spokesperson He Yadong said Beijing was 'accelerating' its process and had given the go-ahead to a 'certain number of compliant applications.' Access to rare earths is an issue 'that is going to continue to metastasize until there is resolution,' said Adam Johnson, chief executive officer of Principal Mineral, which invests in US mineral supply chains for industrial defense. 'This is just a spigot that can be turned on and off by China.' China only agreed to grant licenses — if at all — for six months, before companies need to reapply for approvals. Firms doing business in the US and China could see recurring interruptions, unless the Commerce Ministry significantly increases its pace of process applications. Adding an extra layer of jeopardy for US companies, Chinese suppliers to America's military-industrial base are unlikely to get any magnet permits. After Trump imposed sky-high tariffs in April, Beijing put samarium — a metal essential for weapons such as guided missiles, smart bombs and fighter jets — on a dual-use list that specifically prohibits its shipment for military use. Denying such permits could cause ties to further spiral if Trump believes those actions violate the agreement, the terms of which were never publicized in writing by either side. That sticking point went unresolved during roughly 20 hours of negotiations last week in the UK capital, people familiar with the details said. Complicating the issue, companies often buy magnets from third-party suppliers, which serve both defense and auto firms, according to a person familiar with the matter. That creates a high burden to prove to Chinese authorities a shipment's final destination is a motor not a missile, the person added. Beijing still hasn't officially spelled out the deal's requirements, nor has Xi publicly signaled his endorsement of it — a step Trump said was necessary. 'The Geneva and London talks made solid progress towards negotiating an eventual comprehensive trade deal with China,' White House spokesman Kush Desai said. 'The administration continues to monitor China's compliance with the agreement reached at Geneva.' China's Commerce Ministry is working to facilitate more approvals even as it asks for reams of information on how the materials will be used, according to people familiar with the process. In some cases, companies have been asked to supply data including detailed product designs, one of the people said. Morris Hammer, who leads the US rare-earth magnet business for South Korean steelmaker Posco Holdings Inc., said Chinese officials have expedited shipments for some major US and European automakers since Trump announced the agreement. China's Advanced Technology & Materials said Wednesday it had obtained permits for some magnet orders, without specifying for which destinations. The company's customers include European aerospace giant Airbus SE, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Around half of US suppliers to Toyota Motor Corp., for example, have had export licenses granted, the company said – but they're still waiting for those materials to actually be delivered. It's likely some of the delays are transport-related, one of the people said. Even with permits coming online, rare-earth materials are still scarce because overseas shipments were halted for two months starting in April, depleting inventories. Trump's agreement 'will allow for rare earths to flow out of the country for a short period of time, but it's not helping the auto industry because they're still talking shutdowns,' Hammer said. 'Nobody trusts that this thaw is going to last.' For many automakers, the situation remains unpredictable – forcing some to hunt for alternatives to Chinese supplies. Two days after Trump touted a finalized trade accord in London, Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley described a 'day-to-day' dynamic around rare-earths licenses – which have already forced the company to temporarily shutter one plant. General Motors Co. has emphasized it's on firmer footing in the longer term, because it invested in domestic magnet making back in 2021. The automaker has an exclusive deal to get the products from MP Materials Corp. in Texas, with production starting later in the year. It has another deal with eVAC of Germany to get magnets from a South Carolina plant starting in 2026. In the meantime, GM and its suppliers have applied for permits to get magnets from China, a person familiar with the matter said. Scott Keogh, the CEO of Scout Motors — the upstart EV brand of Volkswagen AG — told Bloomberg Television his company is re—engineering brakes and drive units to reduce the need for rare earths. Scout is building a plant in South Carolina to make fully electric and hybrid SUVs as well as trucks starting in 2027. Until the rare-earth supply line is re-opened to Washington's satisfaction, Trump has indicated that the US is likely to keep in place its own export restrictions. Senior US officials have suggested the curbs are about building and using leverage, rather than their official justification: national security. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the measures were used to 'annoy' China into complying with a deal US negotiators thought they'd already reached. Restrictions on sales to China of electronic design automation software for chipmaking are emblematic of the standoff. Those EDA tools are used to design everything, from the highest-end processors for the likes of Nvidia Corp. and Apple Inc. to simple parts, such as power-regulation components. Fully limiting China's access to the best software, made by a trio of Western firms, has been a longtime priority in some Washington national security circles — and would build on years of US measures targeting China's semiconductor prowess. While some senior Trump officials specifically indicated the administration would relax some semiconductor-related curbs if Beijing relents on rare earths, EDA companies still lack details on when, and whether, their China access will be restored, said industry officials who requested anonymity to speak candidly. Even if that happens, there's worry that heightened geopolitical risks will push Chinese customers to hunt for other suppliers or further develop domestic capabilities. 'The risk is there for the London deal to fall apart,' said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis. 'Because rare earths is a very granular issue and mistakes can be made.' --With assistance from Jennifer A. Dlouhy, David Welch, Lucille Liu, James Mayger, Jing Li, Joe Ryan and Nicholas Lua. Luxury Counterfeiters Keep Outsmarting the Makers of $10,000 Handbags Ken Griffin on Trump, Harvard and Why Novice Investors Won't Beat the Pros Is Mark Cuban the Loudmouth Billionaire that Democrats Need for 2028? The US Has More Copper Than China But No Way to Refine All of It Can 'MAMUWT' Be to Musk What 'TACO' Is to Trump? ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data