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Chinese Naval Forces Showcase Power in the Pacific Ocean.
On March 18, 2025, footage released by China Military offers a glimpse into the growing capabilities of the Chinese Navy, spotlighting a naval task group from the PLA Southern Theater Command. The video captures three warships conducting live-fire training exercises and Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS) operations, a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while underway, in strategically significant waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command conducting Replenishment At Sea (RAS) (Picture Source: ChinaMil.com)
The task group, consisting of the Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Zunyi (Hull 107), the Type 054A guided-missile frigate Hengtang (Hull 568), and the comprehensive supply ship Weishanhu (Hull 887), demonstrates China's expanding naval capabilities in the face of rising geopolitical tensions in the Pacific, especially concerning Taiwan, the U.S and its allies.
China's live-fire training exercises and Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS) operations reflect the country's growing naval capabilities and strategic focus on enhancing its blue-water operations. RAS enables Chinese naval vessels to stay deployed for extended periods, supporting China's global maritime ambitions and strengthening its naval logistics infrastructure. Notably, China has conducted numerous live-fire drills, including high-profile exercises in the South China Sea and the Sea of Japan, testing the combat readiness of its ships and improving joint operations.
Alongside this, China has significantly expanded its RAS capacity, with advanced ships like the Type 903 (Fuchi-class) and Type 901 (Hulunhu-class), which can provide comprehensive supply support to surface combatants. These operations are not only aimed at ensuring sustained naval deployments in far-flung regions like Somalia and the Pacific but also assert China's growing naval presence and its ability to protect its interests in critical international waters. The synergy between RAS and live-fire drills underlines China's strategic intent to develop a more autonomous and capable navy, able to project power and influence far from its shores.
The increasing frequency and sophistication of these exercises reflect China's growing naval power and rising influence in shaping Pacific Ocean geopolitics. As reported by the China Military (eng.chinamil.com.cn), the latest Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS) operation conducted by the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command took place on March 12th, 2025. As tensions with Taiwan continue and U.S. influence in the region remains prominent, the power shift in the Pacific Ocean is becoming increasingly evident.
China's advanced naval assets, including its new aircraft carriers and new vessels on the horizon, signal a clear message about its growing military strength. China’s advanced naval assets, including its newly commissioned aircraft carriers, cutting-edge warships, and support vessels, are reshaping the power dynamics in the Pacific Ocean. As highlighted in various reports by Army Recognition, China’s expanding naval capabilities feature the Type 055 destroyers, which represent some of the world’s most advanced multi-role surface combatants, along with the Type 075 amphibious assault ships designed for large-scale expeditionary operations. The Liaoning and the upcoming Shandong aircraft carriers enhance China’s power projection capabilities, allowing for sustained operations at sea and further asserting its dominance in the region. Combined with new support vessels like the Weishanhu comprehensive supply ship, China’s naval forces are increasingly capable of conducting extended missions, including live-fire drills and Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS) operations, in strategically critical areas such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Lastly, the exclusive Army recognition of the new Chinese Advanced Barge System to support ship-to-shore operations is strengthening the probability of a potential Taiwan invasion. As reported by Army Recognition, these modern assets, coupled with China’s commitment to expanding its naval fleet, signal a clear shift in the regional balance of power, challenging the long-standing U.S. naval presence and influence in the Pacific.
The ongoing operations, which emphasize the importance of logistical support and combat readiness, illustrate China’s commitment to strengthening its naval forces and asserting its presence in critical international waterways. As China expands its naval fleet and enhances its operational capabilities, it poses a strategic challenge to U.S. dominance in the region, reshaping the balance of power in the Pacific and potentially altering the future of regional geopolitics.