Japan’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that two Chinese aircraft carriers operated simultaneously in the Pacific Ocean for the first time — a significant development in China’s naval operations.
On Monday, the Chinese carrier Shandong and four accompanying vessels were spotted sailing within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), according to a statement released Tuesday by Japan’s Defence Ministry.
The ships carried out flight operations north of the Okinotori atoll, conducting takeoff and landing drills with fighter jets and helicopters.
Meanwhile, Japanese officials reported that Liaoning, China’s older aircraft carrier, had been seen entering waters near Minamitorishima, a remote Japanese island in the Pacific.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tokyo has ramped up surveillance efforts in response and has delivered “an appropriate message” to Beijing, though he did not provide further details.
Hayashi noted that China’s increasingly assertive naval presence suggests an effort to expand its capacity to conduct operations farther from its coastline — a trend that has raised concern among Japanese defense officials.
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry defended the maneuvers.
“These activities are fully consistent with international law and international practices,” ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a Monday press briefing. “Our national defense policy remains defensive in nature. We hope Japan will view these actions objectively and rationally.”
With input from Al Jazeera
