China's Aircraft Carrier In Live Fire Show Of Force

Chinese state media has announced that the country's first aircraft carrier has conducted its first live-fire drills.

The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) exercise took place in the northeastern Bohai sea, close to the Korean peninsula. Footage broadcast by CCTV News (See video above) shows China's Soviet-built Liaoning aircraft carrier, along with nine other warships, carrying out aerial interception, anti-aircraft and anti-missile drills.

Ten of the country's Shenyang J-15 fighter jets armed with live missiles also took part. Also known as the Flying Shark the J-15 is based on the Russian Su-33, an unfinished prototype of which was acquired from Ukraine 15 years ago. 

The first carrier landings were made in 2012 and an accelerated upgrade programme saw a new J-15 catapult assisted take-off variant enter service in summer 2016. 

The Chinese government have said little about their aircraft carrier ambitions however at least one domestically produced vessel is being built and likely to enter service within the next 5 years.

This exercise comes amid heightened tension after President-elect Donald Trump broke with diplomatic protocol to speak with the Taiwanese president and openly criticise China's government on Twitter.

MORE: The Long And Strange Tale Of China's First Aircraft Carrier