Breaking the chain? Why Hainan holds the key to survival for China’s aircraft carriers

AI Summary

China's PLA Navy relies on its aircraft carrier base in Hainan to ensure the survivability of its fleet and to counteract US containment strategies along the first island chain. The base is also crucial for potential maritime blockade strategies around Taiwan during conflict scenarios.

The PLA Navy’s aircraft carrier base in Hainan could prove vital to the fleet’s survivability and crucial in countering US containment along the first island chain in wartime, according to a prominent mainland Chinese magazine. Such a posture could also support efforts to impose a maritime blockade around Taiwan in the event of a conflict, Defence Review reported this month. China now operates three aircraft carriers: the Liaoning, the Shandong, and the most advanced, the catapult-equipped...