Chinese Aircraft Carrier Liaoning Appears in Western Pacific, Japan Increases Vigilance

The Joint Staff of the Japanese Ministry of Defense has consecutively announced the activities of the Chinese Navy in waters surrounding Japan. In addition to the aircraft carrier Liaoning leading a five-ship formation in the Western Pacific, a large Chinese amphibious assault ship also passed through waters near Okinawa with a frigate to enter the Pacific. Japan continues to dispatch ships and aircraft to maintain surveillance and gather intelligence. The Ministry of Defense stated that the Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed at noon on the 25th that a total of five Chinese naval vessels, including the Liaoning, were sailing in waters approximately 880 kilometers southwest of Okinotorishima. The formation includes the Liaoning, one Nanchang-class missile destroyer, one Luyang III-class missile destroyer, one Jiangkai III-class frigate, and one Type 901 high-speed combat support ship. The Ministry of Defense pointed out that on the 26th, it also confirmed take-off and landing operations of carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters on the Liaoning. Among them, the Jiangkai III-class frigate and the Type 901 supply ship had already passed through the waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island on the 19th. The Maritime Self-Defense Force dispatched the destroyer JS Asahi, deployed in Sasebo, to carry out surveillance. Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense announced on the 25th that around 3:00 PM on the 22nd, two Chinese naval vessels, including one Jiangkai II-class frigate and one Yushen-class amphibious assault ship, were confirmed in waters approximately 110 kilometers southwest of Kume Island. The two ships subsequently passed through the waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island, sailing southeast into the Pacific. Japan dispatched a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft stationed in Naha for monitoring. Japanese media noted that the Yushen-class amphibious assault ship is equipped with a full-length flight deck similar to an aircraft carrier, with a displacement of approximately 40,000 tons, a scale that even exceeds the Izumo-class destroyers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. The Ministry of Defense has frequently released information on Chinese naval activities around Okinawa and the Western Pacific recently. There is growing concern over the increased frequency of Chinese aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships operating around the First Island Chain, which may further affect the regional security situation.