China has announced that it will be closing a large part of the country's northeastern coast to public transport and fishing vessels. The Liaoning Maritime Administration revealed that the "no-go zone" area will be used to conduct sea trials for two of the country's aircraft carriers. This will include the newly renovated Liaoning aircraft carrier and the country's first domestically built warship called the Type 001A.
The area in the Yellow Sea will be off-limits to unauthorized personnel and vessels from March 3 to March 6. Only military personnel and other authorized vessels will be allowed within the specific no-go zone areas. State media also revealed that the renovations for the Liaoning aircraft carrier, which was commissioned in 2012, have been completed. The warship has been docked at the Dalian shipyard for nine months, undergoing different maintenance and modifications. The Liaoning has reportedly already left the dock and is now ready to undergo sea trials.
Meanwhile, the country's first domestically built aircraft carrier called the Type 001A has also left the Dalian shipyard. The ship was built in the same shipyard and features highly advanced technologies such as a flight electromagnetic warplane launcher. The Type 001A is reportedly already ready to undergo major testing in open waters, which will be the last step before it is officially commissioned for service.
Sources knowledgeable about the upcoming sea trials mentioned that the no-go zone will mainly be used to test the new Type 001A, which will include testing its latest airplane catapult system. The ship will also be going through a number of preplanned maneuvers to test its newly installed propulsion and navigation systems.
The Liaoning will still be undergoing minor testing in the same waters, but the ship has already been proven to be seaworthy and battle ready. It will however still be going through some exercises, which reportedly involves the launch of its onboard J-15 fighter jets. The ship has had its entire bridge and air traffic control centers revamped. Its flight decks and radar have also reportedly been upgraded. The Liaoning is China's first and only aircraft carrier; with the Type 001A being its second one after it is officially commissioned. The country plans to build a total of 4 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the next few years in an attempt to catch up with the United States.
Both the Type 001A and the Liaoning are expected to take part in Navy's upcoming 70th-year-anniversary commemoration event, which will be held in Qingdao on April 23.
