The Liaoning aircraft carrier group of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy holds far sea real combat scenario exercises in the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the West Pacific in December, 2021. Photo: PLA Navy

After sailing across the Miyako Strait on Friday, the aircraft carrier Liaoning of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has reportedly started to host fighter jet exercises in the Philippine Sea, with analysts saying on Monday that the ongoing drills could feature more sophisticated and realistic combat-oriented courses than last time in May.

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force spotted the PLA Navy's aircraft carrier Liaoning, together with the Type 054A frigate Zaozhuang, the Type 052D destroyer Chengdu, the Type 055 large destroyer Wuxi and the Type 901 comprehensive replenishment ship Hulunhu, operating on Saturday in the West Pacific waters to the south of Japan, after the Chinese aircraft carrier group made a transit in the Miyako Strait on Friday, Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff said in a press release on Sunday.

During the process, it was confirmed that carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters took off and landed on the aircraft carrier Liaoning, according to the press release.

Photos attached to the Japanese press release show that aircraft involved in the drills included the Z-18 carrier-based helicopter and the J-15 carrier-based fighter jet.

Officials from Japan's Defense Ministry believe the Chinese military carried out a drill, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported.

Japan did not update the whereabouts of several other PLA warships that have also recently entered the region, including the Type 055 large destroyers Lhasa and the Anshan.

The Liaoning aircraft carrier group held similar exercises in the same region in May this year, conducting over 300 aircraft sorties in some 20 days.

This region, in the Philippine Sea to the south of Japan and to the east of the island of Taiwan, is strategically important, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Monday.

From here, PLA aircraft carrier groups can deny potential military interference by external forces in the Taiwan question, and surround the island of Taiwan from its east side, the expert said.

The participating vessels in the carrier group this time are regarded as unprecedented, with a record number of Type 055 large destroyers, so the drills should involve new training courses that integrate those new elements into the group, the expert said.

Following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's provocative visit to the island of Taiwan in early August, the PLA launched a large-scale exercise in response, demonstrating its capabilities in locking down the island. 

The aircraft carrier Liaoning apparently did not participate in the drills at that time, so this is likely the first time the carrier has held an exercise in the region since the Pelosi event, observers said.

With Pelosi having worsened the situation in the Taiwan Straits and Japan recently adopting new national security strategies breaking away from its defense-only principle, the PLA must continue to enhance its capabilities in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, analysts said.