Chinese and US aircraft carrier battle groups are squaring off in the Philippine Sea as Beijing’s diplomatic tantrum over a visit by Taiwan’s President enters its third day. Amid mock air and sea battles aimed at demonstrating the “isolation” of Taiwan, China’s second aircraft carrier – the PLAN Shandong – is manoeuvring east of the island democracy, just a few hundred kilometres from a nuclear-powered opponent, the US Nimitz. China’s PLAN Shandong is manoeuvring just a few hundred kilometres from the US Navy's aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. Picture: South Korean Defence Ministry/AFP Meanwhile, about 20 warships from both China and…