China - Dateline - Recent

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Storyline:
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has enhanced its real-combat capabilities via recent trainings, fulfilling its commitment to safeguard the country's sovereignty with actions.

A naval formation led by Xianyang destroyer recently returned to a military port in Sanya City, south China's Hainan Province, after successfully completing a drill in the South China Sea, the eastern Indian Ocean, and the Western Pacific.

The Type 055 destroyer, which was commissioned in March 2023, is equipped with the most advanced weapons capable of carrying out high-level missions independently.

The destroyer not only accompanies aircraft carriers but also serves as the command ship, capable of dealing with emergencies.

Patrols take place not only on water but also in the skies. Early warning aircraft can detect potential threats, track, monitor, and guide attacks against targets.

Ship-born jet pilots are doing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, taking off and landing on the deck of the aircraft carrier. This requires skill, marked by high proficiency, accuracy, and bravery.

Li Bo has just finished his studies at the Naval Aviation University, an academy established by the PLA Navy to train its own carrier-based fighters.

Before training to become a pilot, he was assigned to a three-year program at Peking University to gain broader knowledge.

After graduation from the Naval Aviation University, the pilots are assigned to carrier-based units where they undergo real combat training such as taking off and landing aircraft at nighttime or in bad weather.

Xu Yue has participated in carrier group training on the open seas many times, and encountering foreign troops remains a big test for the crew.

CUES – Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea – is an agreement between more than 20 countries in the Pacific Rim, including China and the United States. Taking a risk management approach, it establishes a mechanism for peaceful coexistence.

In May 2023, the Shandong aircraft carrier formation conducted its maiden far sea exercises in the West Pacific.

The Shangdong aircraft carrier is part of the South China Sea Fleet, while the Liaoning aircraft carrier belongs to the North China Sea Fleet. They are the strategic vessels in the PLA Navy's mission to build a blue-water navy.

In 2022, China launched its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, the first domestically made carrier that uses catapults.

The new-generation vessel represents another milestone in the modernization of the PLA Navy, a step forward to developing stronger systematic combat capability to counter risks and defend peace.

Shotlist:
At Sea - Recent:
1. Various of PLA naval warship firing during drill;
2. Various of PLA naval warship sailing;
Sanya City, Hainan Province, south China - Recent:
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yan Jinqing, soldier, PLA Navy destroyer Xianyang:
"After a year of solid training, we have organized dozens of live-fire and self-sufficiency tests. We believe we can fulfill our goals once the Party and the people give us the order.";
At Sea - Recent:
4. Various of PLA naval warship sailing;
Sanya City, Hainan Province, south China - Recent:
5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yan Jinqing, soldier, PLA Navy destroyer Xianyang (partially overlaid with shots 6-7):
"Once an attack is confirmed, we will definitely strike back. We do not attack first because we have the confidence. So we won't attack first, but we will never leave the chance to our enemy to continue after they attacked first.";
At Sea - Recent:
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6. Various of soldiers operating ship;
7. Naval warship firing during drill;
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8. Various of fighter taking off, flying;
China - Recent:
9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Liu Guojun, PLA Navy pilot (partially overlaid with shots 10-11):
"As pilots, we are always prepared to follow the order to engage in battles in both air and sea, which are both our battlefield and our stage. Although I'm not equipped with the weapons and equipment to combat enemy toe-to-toe, we still have the courage to face the strong enemy and show them what we got. We pledge to safeguard our country's sovereignty, our skies and waters with our lives.";
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At Sea - Recent:
10. Various of fighters flying; pilot;
China - Recent:
11. Various of soldiers working in command center;
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At Sea - Recent:
12. Various of fighter preparing to take off; Navy sailor giving signal; pilot saluting;
13. Various of fighter taking off;
China - Recent :
14. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Li Bo, cadet, PLA Naval Aviation University (partially overlaid with shots 15-16):
"I will never forget my first takeoff and landing on an aircraft carrier. At first, when it was very high in the sky, the aircraft carrier looked very small, like a stamp. Then, as the jet flew lower and approached the carrier, the carrier became much bigger. After landing on the deck, I still felt unreal, asking myself how I ended up on the deck? Then I felt excited getting off the jet, realizing that I have became a real aircraft carrier pilot.";
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At Sea - Recent:
15. Various of fighter flying;
16. Various of fighter landing;
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China - Recent:
17. Various of cadets walking;
18. Various of training in progress;
19. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xu Yue, PLA Navy pilot (partially overlaid with shot 20):
"If we encounter an emergency, on the one hand, we can use the international laws and accident principles we have mastered, and on the other hand, we can rely on our entire aircraft carrier system to operate, so that we can reduce the risk of conflict.";
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At Sea - Recent:
20. Various of naval vessels;
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21. Various of aircraft carriers.

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