China's two active aircraft carriers - Liaoning and Shandong - completed their first-ever joint drills in the South China Sea, state broadcaster CCTV reported on October 31.

The report did not provide details of the exercise, but television footage showed at least 10 fighter jets taking part in the drill, including many J-15 fighters taking off from the Liaoning aircraft carrier.

The footage shows two aircraft carriers moving side by side.

Military commentator Song Zhongping said the dual-carrier formation has a significant “power effect.” He noted that the two carrier strike groups have different early warning systems, while the supporting destroyers and frigates also enhance their air defense, anti-submarine, and anti-ship capabilities.

“It's not just one plus one equals two, the power effect is much greater than that,” Mr. Song said, emphasizing that two aircraft carriers would be more effective if operating together.

CCTV news said the Liaoning aircraft carrier group operated in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea before returning to its home port of Qingdao on China's east coast.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, said the drills were not aimed at recent passages by US and European warships through the Taiwan Strait but were part of a "routine plan."

The maritime exercises include “realistic combat scenario training” aimed at improving “combat coordination capabilities,” Mr. Zhang said.

Earlier this month, satellite images circulated on social media showing the Liaoning and Shandong docked at the same pier at the Sanya naval base on Hainan Island, southern China.

The image shows the two aircraft carriers docked alongside the Type 051B and Type 052D guided-missile destroyers.

The Liaoning was also spotted in waters east of the Philippines and west of Guam from September 17 to October 1.

The Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command released video showing the Liaoning aircraft carrier participating in drills near Taiwan on October 14.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of China to be unified by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognize self-governing Taiwan as an independent country but oppose any use of force against the island.