Song Zhongping, Hong Kong-based military affairs commentator and former PLA instructor, told the South China Morning Post the Hainan can carry various types of helicopters, including airborne early warning helicopters.

He added the assault vessel will be serving “under the Southern Theatre Command”, Beijing’s military group operating in the South China Sea.

The expert then told the outlet: “It does not mean it will only be responsible for the South China Sea.

“It will also be used for missions around Taiwan and other cross-theatre command tasks. But presumably it will mainly be for the South China Sea”.