Chinese carrier fleet sails near Okinawa

The Chinese Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning is seen in the East China Sea on Friday.
14:06 JST, December 17, 2022
A Chinese Navy fleet of six warships, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning, sailed through a sea area between Okinawa and Miyako islands, both in Okinawa Prefecture, into the Pacific Ocean on Friday, the Defense Ministry announced on the day.
The fleet did not intrude into Japanese territorial waters. The Maritime Self-Defense Force deployed aircraft, including a P-1 patrol plane, for vigilance.
It was a movement of unprecedented scale for a Chinese Navy fleet, and the ministry was analyzing the Chinese side’s intentions.
According to the ministry, the Chinese fleet including the Liaoning sailed southward in a sea area about 440 kilometers off Fukue Island of Nagasaki Prefecture around 10 a.m. Thursday, and conducted takeoff and landing operations of the carrier’s helicopters in the East China Sea on Friday. Then the fleet headed for the Pacific Ocean.
Also in May this year, the Liaoning carried out more than 300 takeoff and landing drills in a period longer than half month in the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa Island.
"Politics" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
New Standard on Operating Period of N-plants; Hiatus Caused by Operator Fault Not Eligible for Inclusion in Extension
-
U.S. Talks About Car, Rice Exports During Meetings with Akazawa; Trump Mentions Japan’s Defense Burden, Ministers Don’t
-
With No Powerful Negotiator, Japan Fails in Bid to Win Exclusion from U.S. Tariffs; Japan Assesses Post-‘Liberation Day’ Position
-
Ishiba Hopes to End Brazil’s Dependence on China, Strengthen Relations with Leader of Emerging Nations
-
Nakatani, Hegseth Agree to Strengthen Deterrence, Response; Confirm U.S. Forces Japan Starting Transition to Joint HQ
JN ACCESS RANKING