Japan Confirms First Simultaneous Operations by Chinese Carriers in Pacific

Japan has confirmed the simultaneous operations of two Chinese aircraft carriers, Shandong and Liaoning, in the Pacific, prompting increased concerns from Tokyo about Beijing’s military actions. The Shandong was spotted near Okinotori while the Liaoning conducted maneuvers near Minamitori. Japan’s government vowed to enhance surveillance amid growing maritime tensions.

Japan has confirmed, for the first time, that two Chinese aircraft carriers are operating at the same time in the Pacific. This revelation came on Monday as the government reported that the Shandong was sighted near Okinotori, Japan’s southernmost island. The sighting has raised further alarms about Beijing’s military maneuvers in the region.

The news follows a report from the Defense Ministry, which stated that the Chinese carrier Liaoning had been observed near Minamitori Island for two days, marking the first confirmed presence of a Chinese carrier in these waters. The Shandong, accompanied by four vessels including a missile destroyer, was reportedly navigating through waters located 550 kilometers southeast of Miyako Island around 1 p.m. on Saturday.

On Monday, the Shandong, which entered service in 2019, conducted various drills involving takeoffs and landings of its fighter jets and helicopters north of the Okinotori Islands. This site is approximately 1,700 kilometers south of Tokyo and lies within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Meanwhile, the Liaoning and two destroyers were noted around 300 kilometers southwest of Minamitori, at around 6 p.m. Saturday, also within Japan’s EEZ.

The Liaoning later moved southwest, performing its own round of landing and takeoff drills outside the EEZ on Sunday. A Japanese government official reported that Liaoning had ventured beyond what is known as the “second island chain,” a strategic line extending from the Izu Islands to Guam, which China considers to be its defensive perimeter.

In response to the movements of the Liaoning, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated on Monday that Japan will enhance its surveillance of China’s expanding maritime activities. “China apparently intends to enhance its capability to carry out missions at sea and in the skies farther away from its shores,” Hayashi said, emphasizing Japan’s commitment to monitor these developments closely.

During a press conference on Monday, Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, defended the operations of the aircraft carriers, insisting that they are in compliance with international law and norms. Lin characterized China’s naval ambitions as primarily defensive in nature and hoped that Japan would assess these activities with objectivity and rationality.

The Liaoning, which is China’s first aircraft carrier commissioned in 2012, was initially a Soviet vessel refurbished and acquired from Ukraine in the late 1990s. It features a unique “ski-jump” ramp for takeoff, a significant design element for carrier operations.

This series of developments underscores the intensifying military interactions in the Asia-Pacific region and the growing strategic competition between Japan and China. With Japan on high alert, further updates on the situation are expected as both nations navigate this tense maritime landscape.

In conclusion, Japan’s recent detection of simultaneous operations by two Chinese aircraft carriers poses significant concerns regarding regional security. The Shandong’s and Liaoning’s movements highlight an escalation in military activity, prompting Japan to enhance its monitoring efforts. As both sides continue to navigate these tensions, the situation underscores the broader geopolitical dynamics in the Asia-Pacific.

Original Source: english.kyodonews.net

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