China Urges Japan to Adopt Objective Perspective on Naval Activities
# By Muna Chand
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry called on Japan to view Chinese naval operations objectively and reasonably. This comes after Japan reported spotting several vessels from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, including the aircraft carrier Liaoning, transiting through the Miyako Strait toward the Western Pacific on Tuesday.
When questioned by Reuters about Japan’s defense ministry claims regarding the Liaoning’s proximity to Japan’s southern islands and its implications for regional messaging, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning redirected technical inquiries to relevant Chinese authorities.
“China’s naval activities in adjacent waters fully comply with international law and practice,” Mao stated during a regular press briefing. “We expect Japan to assess this matter objectively.”
Japan initially detected the carrier group on Sunday. According to Japan’s Defense Ministry Joint Staff, the Maritime Self-Defense Force observed five PLA Navy ships the Liaoning, two Type 052D destroyers, and two Type 054A frigates – operating approximately 200 km north of Huangwei Yu near the Diaoyu Islands, with fighter jets conducting flight operations from the carrier.
A subsequent Tuesday evening bulletin noted the task force had executed about 90 fixed-wing and 30 helicopter sorties in the East China Sea before transiting between Okinawa and Miyakojima, joined later by a Type 055 destroyer.
Open-source naval analysts confirm PLA carrier groups routinely train in distant waters, with Miyako Strait transits being standard procedure under international maritime norms.
Prior to Japan’s disclosures, the PLA Daily had vaguely referenced recent damage-control exercises aboard the Liaoning without specifying timing or location.
Military expert Wang Yunfei characterized the maneuvers as routine training. “Carrier operations typically divide into three cycles: maintenance, training, and combat readiness drills,” he told the Global Times, predicting such exercises will increase as China’s carrier program matures.
