China’s aircraft carriers in the Pacific demonstrate its capability to challenge US dominance
Expert says the gap in naval capabilities between China and the United States is narrowing
Earlier this month, when four Chinese vessels participated in joint naval exercises with Russian ships in the Sea of Japan, it drew little surprise.
In recent years, Moscow and Beijing have strengthened their military ties as part of efforts to counter what they view as a US-led global order.
What caught the attention of defence analysts and regional governments, however, happened weeks earlier, when China deployed both of its aircraft carriers into the Pacific together for the first time.
Maritime expert and former US Air Force Colonel Ray Powell called the “simultaneous deployment” of China’s two carriers east of the Philippines a “historic” milestone, marking progress toward President Xi Jinping’s goal of building a world class navy by 2035.
“No nation other than the US has operated dual carrier groups at such distances since World War II,” noted Powell, who directs SeaLight, a maritime transparency initiative at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center.
While China’s carrier capabilities still lag far behind America’s, Powell stressed that this was not just a training drill” but a demonstration of Beijing’s ability to challenge and even block US access to key sea routes.
China’s state run Xinhua agency described the manoeuvre as “far-sea combat-oriented training,” while the state-linked Global Times reported that China is on the verge of entering a “three-aircraft-carrier era” once its Fujian carrier becomes operational later this year.
East Asia as China’s Strategic Backyard
China currently operates two active aircraft carriers the Liaoning and Shandong while its third, the Fujian, is undergoing sea trials. Despite having the world’s largest navy with over 370 ships compared to the US’s 251, Beijing still lacks the global logistics network and advanced nuclear submarine capabilities needed for a fully mature blue-water force. All three Chinese carriers run on diesel, whereas all 11 US carriers are nuclear-powered.
Still, the gap between US and Chinese naval capabilities is narrowing. “China intends to close these gaps and is investing heavily to do so,” said Ray Powell, a maritime expert and former US Air Force Colonel, citing its growing technical expertise and unmatched shipbuilding capacity.
Powell noted that China’s immediate aim is not global competition with the US, but to reshape the balance of power in East Asia asserting dominance within its sphere of influence and deterring, or if necessary, defeating adversaries. He described East Asia as a “home game” for Beijing, where its limited carrier fleet is reinforced by extensive land-based airpower and long-range “carrier killer” missiles capable of striking targets up to 4,000km away.
Japan’s Strategic Response
While the Philippines frequently clashes with Chinese coastguards at sea, Japan is more focused on Beijing’s accelerating naval build up. Japan’s Defence Minister Gen Nakatani warned that China aims to strengthen its operational reach into distant seas and airspace.
Perceiving a more inward-looking United States under President Donald Trump, Japan has increased defence spending to unprecedented levels 9.9 trillion yen ($67bn) in 2025, with a goal of reaching 2% of GDP by 2027. Tokyo is enhancing its naval capabilities not only to support its US alliance but also to prepare for a future where America might scale back its Pacific presence.
Experts highlight Japan’s growing partnerships in the region. This year, Japanese naval fleets have made port calls in dozens of countries, joined multinational exercises, and supported regional infrastructure and security projects to build trust and counterbalance Beijing’s influence. Japan’s submarine fleet and advanced anti-ship missile programs are regarded as among the best globally.
The South China Sea Flashpoint
China insists it seeks peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes in the South China Sea but blames US “freedom of navigation” operations for stoking tensions. Beijing claims almost the entire 3.6 million sq km sea, a vital shipping route rich in resources, despite competing claims from Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Regional experts warn that while neither China nor the US appears to seek open conflict, rising Chinese assertiveness risks incidents that could spiral beyond control. Any major disruption in the South China Sea, they stress, would have global repercussions.
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