On Tuesday, February 11, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces General Staff issued an alert regarding the presence of two separate People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Task Groups transiting through the Miyako Strait into the Philippine Sea. The groups were identified sailing through the same area at different times while being closely monitored by Japan’s aerial and naval assets.
The Miyako Strait is an international waterway between Miyako Island and Okinawa, frequently used by the People’s Liberation Army Navy to move between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea. However, this latest passage drew particular attention from Japanese authorities as it involved amphibious assault ships. The last recorded transit of this nature occurred in August 2024, when a Type 052 destroyer and a Type 075 amphibious assault ship sailed southeast through the strait.
Between February 11 and 12, seven Chinese Navy vessels from the Eastern Theater Command’s East Sea Fleet—responsible for the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan itself—sailed southeast through the strait.
According to Japan’s Joint Staff Office, the first Task Group consisted of the Type 052D destroyer Nanjing (155), the Type 054A frigate Huanggang (577), and the fleet oiler Qiandao Hu (886). These vessels traveled Monday night from northeast of Miyako Island southeastward between Okinawa and Miyako into the Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, the second Task Group included the Type 052D destroyer Shaoxing (134), the Type 054A frigate Xuzhou (530), the Type 071 amphibious transport dock Siming Shan (986), and the Type 075 amphibious assault ship Anhui (33). This group was observed northeast of Miyako Island before transiting southeast through the waters between Okinawa and Miyako into the Philippine Sea during the early hours of Tuesday. Notably, the Siming Shan is equipped with a directed-energy laser system mounted on its main gun. However, it remains unclear whether the laser weapon is fully operational or still in the testing phase.
As of now, Chinese authorities have made no official statements regarding the deployment. In response, Japan deployed the minesweeper JS Shishijima (MSC-691) and a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s 5th Fleet Air Wing, based at Naha Air Base in Okinawa.
Cover image used for illustration purposes: credit to the respective owner / Type 075 amphibious assault ship Anhui (33) undergoing sea trials.
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