China needs more heavily protected home ports along the shores of the South China Sea where its only operational aircraft carrier, CNS Liaoning (CV-16), and its under construction second carrier, CNS Shandong (CV-17), can seek refuge should a war against the United States erupt.

One of the greatest disadvantages of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is that it has not a single overseas base in Asia and within the First Island Chain.

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All its bases are along the eastern and north eastern shores of China facing the East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea. Outside of China there is nothing for the PLAN and this omission means its warships are confined to operating close to the Chinese mainland in case of a war.

This restriction means PLAN warships are within the kill zone of anti-ship missiles such as the DF-41 based on the mainland. The maximum range of China's anti-ship missiles is 1,500 km.

This restriction also means the U.S. Navy won't have a difficult time finding and attacking the few major naval bases operated by PLAN. The Liaoning is home ported to Qingdao along the Yellow Sea, which is also the headquarters for the North Sea Fleet.

Strangely, Liaoning is the flagship of the South Sea Fleet with headquarters at the Yulin Naval Base on Hainan Island on the South China Sea. Qingdao is some 2,500 km from Hainan.

Chinese military pundits are now openly speculating on the need for PLAN to build more home ports for its two carriers (one more to be built) and the expanding PLAN Surface Fleet. But because of the shallowness of the southern parts of the South China Sea, these bases will have to be located close to Hainan Island, which is also the home base for PLAN's ballistic missile submarines.

One expert said any new naval base for China's aircraft carriers should facilitate berthing and maintenance for these valuable warships. And security, of course.

It is almost certain, Shandong will also be home ported to Qingdao, which is the only major PLAN base close to the South China Sea. Having two carriers at one naval base, however, will be a godsend for the U.S. Navy. Hence, the need for at least one home port for each of PLAN's three carriers.

Tagschina, home ports, South China Sea, CNS Liaoning, CNS Shandong, People's Liberation Army Navy Surface Force, Yellow Sea, Qingdao