China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier conducted intensive air operations near Japan’s southwest islands over the weekend, escalating tensions between the East Asian neighbors. The exercises included about 100 take-offs and landings, with the carrier sailing east into the Pacific Ocean alongside three missile-destroyer escorts.
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces reported that Chinese fighter jets targeted Japanese aircraft with radar signals, a move that could force evasive maneuvers. In response, Tokyo summoned China’s ambassador, Wu Jianghao, condemning the actions as “dangerous and regrettable.”
The Chinese embassy rejected the claims, asserting that Japanese aircraft endangered flight safety by approaching the carrier during its drills. “China solemnly demands that Japan stop smearing and slandering, strictly restrain its frontline actions, and prevent similar incidents from happening again,” the embassy said.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara dismissed China’s statement, affirming that Japan will “respond calmly but firmly and continue to monitor Chinese movements in waters around our country.”
The drills follow remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warning that Tokyo could respond to any Chinese military action against Taiwan that also threatened Japan’s security. Beijing, in turn, advised its citizens to avoid travel to Japan and paused a planned seafood import restart after Japan released treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.
China claims Taiwan, a democratically governed island just 110 km from Japan’s westernmost Okinawa island, and has intensified military pressure on the territory. Japan, home to the largest US military presence overseas, including thousands of Marines in Okinawa, remains closely aligned with Washington on regional security.
While the US State Department did not comment on the radar claims, US Ambassador to Japan George Glass voiced support for Tokyo, even as President Trump, preparing for trade talks in Beijing next year, has remained silent.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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