World War 3 fears: China releases terrifying footage of live-fire drills on new warship

The Communist nation’s state broadcaster released the dramatic footage showing a 50,000-tonne warship, the Shandong, capable of launching ammunition at enemy targets.

China’s Central Television’s military channel reported the Shandong had “successfully completed a series of maritime tests and training items”.

It went on to say how the military exercises “effectively examined” the performance of the warship’s weapons and equipment.

Captain of the Shandong, Lai Yijun, told the state-run broadcaster the aircraft carrier – which entered service 10 months ago – has been “focusing on live-fire drills”.

The footage shows fighter jets taking off and landing on the carrier and ammunition being fired towards “enemies”.

China releases footage of drills on new warship


China releases footage of drills on new warship (Image: Getty)

Footage saw jets taking off and landing on carrier

Footage saw jets taking off and landing on carrier (Image: Getty)

The Shandong marks China’s first domestically built carrier and was commissioned by President Xi Jinping last year.

It is believed China is building a third aircraft carrier which will be feature a flat-top flight deck and an electromagnetic aircraft launch system.

China’s Central Television claimed Beijing’s army launched dozens of missiles during drills in the highly disputed South China Sea.

Beijing’s latest aircraft carrier comes as tensions between China and Washington reached new heights.

READ MORE: China’s leaders plot 15-year mission to determine place in world

Chinese show off military might with live drills

Chinese show off military might with live drills (Image: Getty)

Earlier this week, Washington approved sales of weapon and defence systems worth up to $4.2billion (£3.25billion) to Taiwan.

Over recent months, China has been showing off its military power in a warning to other countries, including Taiwan – which Beijing claims as its own.

Since 2016, Beijing has increased its military pressure on Taiwan.

Over recent months, Chinese fighter jets and bombers have entered Taiwan’s air defence zone.

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Countries with nuclear weapons

Countries with nuclear weapons (Image: Express)

On Tuesday, Beijing said it was “firmly opposed” against Washington’s decision and urged the US to “call off the relevant arms sales plan to Taiwan, so as not to cause further damage to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”.

Wang Wenbin, China’s foreign ministry spokesman, said Beijing would “take proper and necessary measure to firmly safeguard its national sovereignty and security interests”.

China has also announced it will impose sanctions on the US companies involved in the sale to Taiwan, including Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

This month, China’s President Xi Jinping told marines to focus on war preparedness while remaining highly vigilant.

Chinese president Xi Jinping

Chinese president Xi Jinping (Image: Getty)

Over recent months, both the US and China have increased their military presence in the South China Sea.

Despite having no claim to any part of the archipelago, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for other nations to counter China’s dominance in the region.

He tweeted: “The United States’ policy is crystal clear: the South China Sea is not China’s maritime empire.

“If Beijing violates international law and free nations do nothing, history shows the CCP will simply take more territory.

Tensions between China and the US have escalated

Tensions between China and the US have escalated (Image: Getty)

“China Sea disputes must be resolved through international law.”

The contested region faces claims from China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Diplomatic relations between the nations, which have laid claim to the islands, are already extremely strained.

China has recently constructed several military bunkers on some of the atolls, sparking fears of a World War 3 outbreak.

source: express.co.uk