European satellite Sentinel-1 also detected the aircraft carrier patrolling the waters on the same day.
According to Sentinel-2, an aircraft carrier last week left Sanya, Hainan province, the homeport of the Shandong carrier.
Neither the Chinese nor the Philippine defence ministry commented on the image. They also did not respond to requests from the Post for comment.
Chester Cabalza, president and founder of International Development and Security Cooperation, a Manila-based think tank, said the carrier’s patrol was an example of “performative politics” by Beijing that could become a frequent event.
If so, it “would mean that there is a red flag on their national security”, he said, adding that “once we see massive military force, that means that Beijing is preparing for a war”.
Former PLA instructor Song Zhongping said the aircraft carrier may head to the Western Pacific Ocean later and rendezvous with four navy ships near the Philippine island of Palawan.
“The Shandong can go to all of these places, including waters to the east of Taiwan, the Western Pacific Ocean, and all of the South China Sea. Aircraft carriers usually travel with battleships on the side to protect them, so it’s normal if [the Shandong and the navy ships] converge.”
02:34
Chinese and Philippine ships clash in first incident under Beijing’s new coast guard law
Chinese and Philippine ships clash in first incident under Beijing’s new coast guard law
Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated over the Second Thomas shoal, known as Renai Jiao in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines.
In June, a Chinese coastguard ship intercepted several Philippine Navy vessels on a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at a decaying former warship on the shoal.
Chinese coastguard crew members armed with knives, machetes, and other weapons intercepted the Philippine troops, according to footage of the incident, resulting in a Filipino losing a thumb.
While there is hope of dialogue – Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said last week that Manila was working on holding talks in July with Beijing over their South China Sea differences – the Philippines is fortifying its relationship with treaty partner the United States.
The system can launch SM-6 missiles with a range of up to 370km (230 miles) and cruise missiles that can carry conventional or nuclear warheads and have a range of up to 2,500km, according to the Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
02:37
Philippine admiral at centre of ‘new deal’ saga breaks silence on alleged South China Sea pact
Philippine admiral at centre of ‘new deal’ saga breaks silence on alleged South China Sea pact
Ni, from Shanghai, said the Shandong’s patrol might also be a direct response to the US-led Rimpac exercise, which started on Thursday.
The Rim of the Pacific exercise is the world’s biggest international maritime military drill, and will take place near Hawaii until August. One of the major focuses this year is an exercise to sink the USS Tarawa, a 40,000-tonne retired amphibious assault ship. China is the only US competitor in the Asia-Pacific that has a comparable warship.
Last year, the Shandong’s centre of attention was Taiwan, with the vessel conducting offshore drills neat the island in April and September.
