Carrier leads exercise in west Pacific

Liaoning battle group joined by two other ships in long-range combat drills

China's carrier battle group, led by the aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning, conducted its first combat exercise in the western Pacific on Friday and Saturday, the People's Liberation Army Navy said.

The Liaoning, several guided-missile destroyers, guided-missile frigates and dozens of aircraft took part in the exercise in an unidentified area east of the Bashi Channel, the Navy said in a statement on Saturday.