Japan has expressed serious concern over China’s naval activities close to its territory. The alarm follows a rare joint military drill involving China’s two aircraft carriers, the Shandong and the Liaoning, which were seen conducting coordinated operations in the Pacific Ocean.
This is the first time both Chinese carriers have trained together so close to Japanese waters.
Japan’s Defence Ministry released a detailed map showing the paths of the two aircraft carriers. According to the ministry, the ships have been active near Japan’s islands and even entered Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
These movements prompted formal protests from Tokyo, which warned that such actions could cause serious accidents. Japan reported over 500 air sorties, involving both fighter jets and helicopters, launched from the Chinese carriers during the drills.
Officials said that Chinese military aircraft flew dangerously close to Japanese surveillance planes multiple times. One incident on June 7 lasted 40 minutes, and another continued even longer the next day.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi called these encounters “abnormal approaches” and warned that they “could have led to unforeseen accidents.”
China Defends Its Operations, Blames Japan’s Surveillance Tactics
In response, China’s government insisted the drills were legal and routine. A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, accused Japan of creating unnecessary tension. He said the Japanese military was conducting “close-in reconnaissance” and urged Tokyo to stop making “dangerous moves.”
As the tensions rise, China also announced that its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, is nearing completion.
The ship is expected to enter service before the end of the year. It features electromagnetic catapult technology, making China only the second country after the United States to use this advanced system.
Regional Worries Grow as Military Activity Increases
This display of power follows similar drills China carried out in February in the Tasman Sea. Those operations received strong criticism from both Australia and New Zealand.
Their governments raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the message such moves could send to neighbouring nations.
While Australia later admitted that the drills were technically legal, its Defence Minister Richard Marles called China’s activities an “extraordinary military buildup.”
He also said there was a need for better communication to avoid misunderstandings in the region.
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