Japan has reported the first confirmed incursion of a Chinese aircraft carrier into waters close to its territory.
Accompanied by Missile Destroyers
The Japanese Defense Ministry announced that the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, accompanied by two missile destroyers, was detected navigating the waters between the Japanese islands of Yonaguni and Iriomote, south of Okinawa, according to L'independent.
This incident marks the first time that a Chinese aircraft carrier has been confirmed in the area, which lies within the "contiguous zone" — a maritime area extending 12 nautical miles beyond Japan's territorial waters.
The contiguous zone is a buffer region where a country can exercise limited control to prevent infringement of its sovereignty.
The recent intrusion follows a series of escalating maritime confrontations involving China and Japan. Earlier this month, Japan condemned the entry of a Chinese naval vessel into its territorial waters near southern islands, and in the previous month, Japanese fighter jets were scrambled to intercept a Chinese military aircraft that breached its airspace.
Continues to Assert Control
The increased presence of Chinese military assets in the Asia-Pacific region, including aggressive territorial claims over Taiwan and the South China Sea, has alarmed the United States and its allies.
Despite a 2016 International Court of Justice ruling rejecting China's claims in the South China Sea, Beijing continues to assert control over much of the region, a crucial maritime route for global trade.
In response to these developments, Japan has been ramping up its defense capabilities, shifting from a long-standing pacifist stance to enhancing its military preparedness. This includes the acquisition of counter-attack capabilities and a relaxation of export restrictions on arms.
Japan’s growing military cooperation with the United States, Australia, and India within the Quad alliance is seen as a strategic counterbalance to China’s regional influence. Past encounters between Japanese and Chinese vessels, particularly around the contested Senkaku Islands, have further heightened regional tensions.
