The China Works

China's 2nd Aircraft Carrier Sails through the  Taiwan Strait - Officialese Episode 1

This is the first post in our weekly series 'Officialese,' which showcases a kind of news and viewing frame of the world that a large chunk of China's population (certainly many times more people than even live in my own country!), that is all they ever see and understand about the world around them. Also, every time we translate an article, we'll include some of the more interesting comments, too.

Note: This is a translation. You can view the original on WeChat.

The Article:

China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was the blueprint for the Shandong.

Our country's second aircraft carrier has just sailed through the Taiwan Strait! The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it "just a routine drill carried out in front of our home."

According to Cheng Dewei, a spokesman for China's PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy), the second aircraft carrier of our country passed through the Taiwan Strait and into the South China Sea on November 7th to carry out relevant scientific research and experiments, as well as regular training.

This deployment of our domestically produced aircraft carrier to conduct experiments and training across our region was just a normal arrangement in the process of its manufacture, and definitely not a deliberate action serving any specific aims. It has nothing to do with any ongoing issues in the region.

A spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a regular press conference on November 18th, and when answering questions about China's second aircraft carrier's passing through the Taiwan Strait, he said:

China's second carrier, the Shandong, seen here at the Dalian naval shipyards.

"I don't know if you're paying attention, but the press spokesman of the Chinese Navy has expressed our attitude towards this issue, so I suggest you go and listen to what he already said."

Here I must insist that nobody has any reason to make such a fuss. It was just a normal, regular training, performed by Chinese task forces in our own front yard. Meanwhile, I'd like to remind the world that we demand those involved in this issue to stop interfering in normal Chinese military actions, as Chinese relevant actions on this issue are completely in accordance with international law and practice.

Comments:

Note: These are only viewable from within the WeChat app.

1: It was just training in front of our own home, you shouldn't make such drama about it. Click on the "I'm watching this article" and give a like to support our domestic aircraft carrier.

2: That's just it! The carrier was just hanging around the doorway of our home (sailing on the South China Sea), What on earth are you nervous for?

3: We salute the People's Liberation Army Navy! How hardworking you are!

4: Our great motherland is growing stronger and stronger.

5: I hope everything stays calm...

6: In my own territory, I make my own decisions about my own things.

7: The carrier was just going for a leisurely stroll in its front yard.

8: It was just a training exercise in our own backyard, calm down.

9: Our homeland grows stronger and stronger, the people become happier and happier.

10: Decent people are fine with anything, and inclusive of everything. Indecent people often get restless when something happens because they are narrow-minded.

11: I have nothing to say but give a like.

12: Everything's fine once you get used to it.