In recent hours, the Japanese government alerted about the presence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft carrier Liaoning (CVN-16) near the northern Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. In addition to the capital ship, at least four other vessels were also detected accompanying it as part of its escort and support group.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces warned yesterday that the aircraft carrier Liaoning (CVN-16), the Luyang III-class destroyers CNS Qiqihar (121) and CNS Tangshan (122), and the Jiangkai II-class frigates CNS Binzhou (515) and CNS Anyang (599) were sighted sailing in an area located nearly 200 kilometers north of Kuba Jima Island, part of the Senkaku archipelago, administered by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan. According to Japanese media, this would be the first time China has conducted such maneuvers with the aircraft carrier Liaoning in this area of the East China Sea.
Although no violations of Japanese airspace were reported, the presence of the ship and escorts was considered a worrying sign of increasing Chinese military activity in these sensitive areas. During the hours that Japanese authorities monitored the aircraft carrier and the four ships, takeoffs and landings of fighter jets and helicopters from its Carrier Air Group could be observed. In parallel, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JS Takanami (DD-110) and a P-3C Orion patrol aircraft from the Fifth Air Wing were deployed to shadow the Chinese Navy’s Strike Group. For its part, the Air Self-Defense Force also deployed fighter jets to provide close surveillance in response.
It’s worth noting that the Senkaku Islands (known in China as Diaoyu), a chain of small islets in the East China Sea rich in fisheries and energy potential, were nationalized by Japan in 2022. Japan, along with the United States, claims they are protected under Article 5 of the Mutual Security Treaty between the two countries. This means that any attack on the islands would also be considered an attack on the Asian country and, therefore, on US interests.
However, China has intensified its presence in the area with almost daily patrols by its coast guard vessels, seeking to consolidate a narrative of administrative control. In fact, Japanese authorities reported that Chinese government vessels have been active around the islands for 189 consecutive days as of Monday, May 26, and for 355 days in 2024.
Once again, these types of approaches to archipelagos and disputed areas are part of China’s constant message to the region, demonstrating its military capabilities and power projection. As a mere example of the presence of Chinese military assets near Japan, in September 2024, the Liaoning also entered the country’s contiguous zone, southwest of Yonaguni Island. This sighting was notable not only for being the first in 2024, but also for what has been circulated as takeoff and landing tests by its Carrier Air Group.
*Cover image used for illustration purposes.
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