A rare satellite photo has captured two of China’s aircraft carriers operating near each other in waters south of Yulin Naval base. China’s aircraft carrier program is a source of national pride and central to the rapid expansion of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, now the world’s largest fleet by ship count. The military buildup is part of President Xi Jinping’s efforts to build a force capable of rivaling U.S. dominance in the Pacific. Located in China’s southernmost province of Hainan, the Yulin Naval Base is a strategic center for the Chinese navy, home to its nuclear submarines and specialized docks for aircraft carriers. Beijing claims nearly the entire South China Sea, bringing it into conflict with several other governments that have competing territorial claims.

Full report : Rare Satellite Photo Shows Two Chinese Aircraft Carriers in Disputed Waters.