This was the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier has entered this part of Japan’s EEE in the Pacific Ocean
The Japan Ministry of Defense revealed today that a Chinese and remaining fleet aircraft carrier entered waters from the Japanese exclusive economic zone last Saturday at a time of tensions in the relationship between the two countries.
According to the Japanese Defense Ministry, the aircraft carrier Liaoning, two guided missile resetters and a fast refueling ship sailed about 300 kilometers from the easterniest point of Japan, Minamitori Island on Saturday.
According to a statement, after Liaoning and the accompanying ships had left the Japanese ZEE, they performed on Sunday to take off and landing exercises of fighters and helicopters.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense said it highlighted a ship to the area to follow the situation.
This was the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier has entered this part of Japan’s EEE in the Pacific Ocean, a ministry spokesman told France-Presse news agency.
“We believe the Chinese military is trying to improve their operational capabilities and their ability to conduct operations in remote areas,” he added.
China’s growing military presence and the use of naval and air means to claim disputed territories are worrying the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said today at a press conference that the Japanese government “conveyed an appropriate message to the Chinese part” without specifying whether he had presented a formal protest.
In May, the Liaoning navigated between two Japanese islands to the south, inside the EEE, and performed maneuvers.
In September, the same aircraft carrier also sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan and entered the territorial waters of Japan, the area located up to 24 nautical miles (about 45 kilometers) from its coast.
At the time, Tokyo classified the maneuvers as “unacceptable” and expressed “serious concerns”.
According to international law, a coastal state exercises rights over economic resources and activities within its EEE, which extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from its back.
Bilateral relations, already tense due to historical and territorial disputes, recently deteriorated, especially after, in December, Japan required the removal of a new Chinese float on its EEE, south of Yonaguni Island, near Taiwan.
On May 29, Japan said China had removed the float.
In February, Beijing also removed another float he had installed in July 2023 in Japanese EEE, near disputed areas, namely the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, controlled by Japan but claimed by China under the name of Diaoyu.
Also in late May, Tokyo accused Beijing of conducting unauthorized maritime scientific investigation in his EEE around his southernmost point in the Pacific Ocean, Okinotori’s remote.
