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Wow, a carrier without assigned air assets.

So I guess any carrier-capable fighter or attack jet stick in the PLAN will be expected to just show up full qualified to trap and launch from any of the three carriers. Mix and match. With and without ordnance, day, night, NVG, in all weather conditions (above flight minimums). And they will gain and maintain their at-sea flight quals by ???

This is an extremely dangerous business even with dedicated carrier air groups. Unfortunately, the Chinese may be in for some unpleasant surprises. Wonder how many pilots they will kill, aircraft they will destroy and how much damage they will do to the ships before they realize buying a dedicated air group is actually cheaper. (Nice power protection bonus when they do that too.)

But who knows. With their reliance on the extensive carrier operation experience of the Russians and their own potent submarine operational experience, they could be a serious menace in the western Pacific region. ;-)

A follow-on piece says the PLAN doesn't intend to form dedicated air groups for these carriers, instead drawing on existing aircrews. For some years they've had pilots practice on mock flight decks.

I'm more worried about the simple fact they're now able to build larger warships at a faster pace. With all the shipbuilding technology they're getting from South Korea & Japan & the electronic expertise they're getting from all their advanced trading partners, along with the huge expansion of their maritime facilities, they could conceivably acquire the world's second-biggest navy by 2020.

But hey, Japan won't stand idly by & should keep a qualitative edge at least another decade. The western Pacific is looking to get rather interesting.