Latest news with #JapaneseDefenseMinistry
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chinese navy drill near Japan sparks concern and protest
A Chinese naval drill near Japan has sparked concern from Tokyo, which in recent days lodged a protest with Beijing and made the rare decision to publicly disclose Chinese military movements. In the last few weeks China's two aircraft carriers, the Shandong and the Liaoning, have been conducting simultaneous drills in the Pacific, in an unprecedented move. Chinese fighter jets have done hundreds of landings and take-offs from the carriers. A few came close to Japanese surveillance planes, prompting Tokyo to convey its "serious concerns" to Beijing. China has said its activities are consistent with international law and accused Japan of conducting "dangerous moves". On Tuesday, the Japanese defence ministry released a map tracing the Chinese aircraft carriers' daily positions since 25 May. Japan does not usually disclose details of foreign militaries' movements. It shows both carriers coming close to Japanese islands, and at times sailing through Japan's exclusive economic zone. The exclusive economic zone is an area beyond a country's territorial waters where that country has exclusive rights to explore and exploit marine resources, but other countries are allowed freedom of navigation through it. The map also shows the Liaoning sailing past the "second island chain", a line of defence outlined in US foreign policy doctrine that connects Japan to Guam. This makes it the first Chinese aircraft carrier to do so , according to Japanese news outlets. Japan's defence ministry also said they had observed more than 500 landings and take-offs of Chinese fighter jets and helicopters during the drills. On 7 June, a Chinese fighter jet took off from the Shandong and followed a Japanese surveillance aircraft for about 40 minutes, according to Tokyo. The next day, a Chinese fighter jet flew close to a Japanese plane for twice that duration, and crossed in front of it. Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said last week that they relayed to Beijing their concern about these "abnormal approaches" which could have caused accidental collisions. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that their "activities in relevant waters and air space are consistent with international law and international practices", and that the two countries were communicating through existing channels. "Let me point out that it is the close-in reconnaissance of Japan's vessels and airplanes on China's normal military activities that has caused maritime and air security risks. China urges Japan to stop those dangerous moves," he said. As its two carriers continue to sail through the Pacific, China's military gave an update on Tuesday on its newest carrier, the Fujian. It said sea trials were on track and the carrier is expected to enter service later this year. The Fujian will be their first carrier that will employ electromagnetic catapults to launch their planes - a technology that currently only American aircraft carriers possess. The technology allows a carrier to launch a wider range of aircraft, and launch fighter jets much faster. China's fighter jets will also be able to take off with their full fuel and weapon loads from the Fujian, noted a Global Times report, and the carrier would enable a "significantly higher" number of sorties compared to its predecessors. This month's drill follows February's much-scrutinised naval exercise in the Tasman Sea that prompted concern from Australia and New Zealand. Canberra and Wellington had complained Beijing had given insufficient notice of the drill, and some commercial planes had to be diverted last minute. Australia's defence minister Richard Marles later acknowledged that the naval exercise was in accordance with international law, while at the same time urging China to be more transparent about the reasons for what he called an "extraordinary military build-up". China's latest moves come as the US promises to maintain its presence in the Indo-Pacific while balancing other commitments. Last month US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasised the US's solidarity with the region, saying the US would not be pushed out of Asia nor allow its allies to be intimidated. China in response accused the US of being the "biggest troublemaker" in Asia. But on Monday the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz left the South China Sea. Multiple outlets have reported it is moving to the Middle East, as the war between Israel and Iran deepens.
South China Morning Post
13-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Japan warns of collision risks after Chinese fighter jet's ‘abnormal approaches'
Japan has expressed serious concerns to Beijing through diplomatic and defence channels after a Chinese fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong made 'abnormal approaches' to a Japanese patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. In a statement, Tokyo's defence ministry said a J-15 fighter shadowed its P-3C patrol aircraft operating over the Pacific for about 40 minutes from 10.30am on Saturday and again for around 80 minutes from 2pm on Sunday. The ministry said the Chinese fighter approached close to a horizontal distance of about 45 metres with no altitude difference and, in another manoeuvre on Sunday, 'crossed approximately 900 metres ahead of the patrol aircraft's course, with no altitude difference'. The ministry also published images of the Chinese aircraft holding a position just off the P-3C's port and starboard wings. 'Such unusual approaches by Chinese military aircraft could lead to an accidental collision,' the ministry said in the statement, calling on Beijing to take steps against a repeat of such an incident. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, however, said at a press conference on Thursday that the country's military activities 'fully comply with international law and practices'. He insisted Japanese 'close-in reconnaissance activities' of China's 'normal' operations were 'the root cause of maritime and air security risks', according to Kyodo.
The Independent
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Japan hits out at China over close-call with fighter jets
Japan has condemned China 's 'close approaches' after Chinese J-15 fighters flew dangerously near to a Japanese P-3C patrol plane monitoring the Shandong aircraft carrier over the Pacific. The Japanese defence ministry stated that the J-15 fighters tailed the surveillance aircraft for 40 and 80 minutes, respectively, with one instance of a jet crossing 900 metres in front of the P-3C's flight path. Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Japan raised serious concerns with China, urging them to prevent such incidents. Japan delayed disclosing the encounters to interview the P-3C's crew and assess flight data, while also reporting that two Chinese aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, were conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific. China confirmed its carriers were training to test capabilities in far seas defence and joint operations, stating the exercises were routine and not targeting any specific country.
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Pictures Show Chinese Jet Buzzing US Ally From Aircraft Carrier
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A patrol aircraft dispatched by Japan—a treaty ally of the United States—was intercepted by fighter jets launched from a Chinese aircraft carrier operating in the wider western Pacific. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense and Foreign Ministries via email for comment. Why It Matters China, which has the world's largest navy by hull count—deployed both of its two aircraft carriers in active service beyond the First Island Chain on Saturday. The island defense line, comprising Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, is in place to keep China's forces in check. In April, Beijing's state media released undated footage showing a Chinese J-15 flying close to a U.S. F/A-18 carrier-based fighter over an undisclosed maritime location. Aerial intercepts—if conducted in an unsafe or unprofessional manner—can lead to midair collisions, resulting in the loss of aircraft and aircrew. In 2001, a U.S. intelligence plane and a Chinese fighter jet collided near China, killing a Chinese pilot. What To Know On Wednesday, the Japanese Defense Ministry reported an "unusual approach" by Chinese military aircraft toward the Maritime Self-Defense Force, stating that a P-3C patrol aircraft had two encounters with J-15 fighter jets—launched from the aircraft carrier CNS Shandong—over the weekend while flying in international airspace over the Pacific Ocean. A Chinese J-15 fighter jet flies alongside a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on June 8, 2025. A Chinese J-15 fighter jet flies alongside a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on June 8, 2025. Japanese Defense Ministry In the first incident, which occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. local time on Saturday, Chinese fighter jets were spotted flying as close as 45 meters (147 feet) from the Japanese aircraft at the same altitude, which was conducting an unspecified surveillance mission. The following day, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. local time, Chinese fighter jets launched from the Shandong intercepted the Japanese aircraft for a second time, passing in front of it at a much greater distance—900 meters (2,952 feet)—while maintaining the same altitude. One of the photos taken from the Japanese aircraft shows a Chinese fighter jet flying with a missile visible beneath its wing. Another photo shows a jet flying alongside the Japanese plane. The horizontal distance between them in the photos remains unknown. A Chinese J-15 fighter jet flies near a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on June 8, 2025. A Chinese J-15 fighter jet flies near a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on June 8, 2025. Japanese Defense Ministry While there was no damage to the Japanese aircraft and no injuries were reported among its crew in either incident, Tokyo's Defense Ministry expressed serious concerns, stating that the Chinese fighter jets' "abnormal" aerial maneuvers could lead to an accidental collision. According to an earlier press release from the Japanese Defense Ministry, the Shandong was tracked operating with four Chinese naval vessels in the Philippine Sea on Saturday—341 miles southeast of Japan's southwestern island of Miyako—during an eastward voyage. The press release also revealed that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force had deployed a P-3C patrol aircraft to monitor and gather intelligence on the Chinese vessels. Two days later, the Shandong conducted flight operations involving its fighter jets and helicopters. What People Are Saying Senior Captain Wang Xuemeng, spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, said in a statement on Tuesday: "This [dual aircraft carrier deployment] is a routine arrangement included in the annual training plan, aiming to improve the Chinese PLA Navy's ability to fulfill missions. The training complies with relevant international law and practice, and is not targeted at specific countries or entity." Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference on Tuesday: "Let me reiterate that Chinese naval vessels' activities in those waters are fully consistent with international law and international practices. Our national defense policy is defensive in nature. We hope Japan will view those activities objectively and rationally." What Happens Next Such close aerial encounters between Japanese and Chinese military aircraft are likely to continue as China's two aircraft carriers operate in waters near Japan's more remote islands.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Japan finds pair of Chinese aircraft carriers conducting operations in Pacific for first time
The Japanese navy sighted two Chinese aircraft carriers conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time in a move signalling Beijing 's intention to expand its blue water capabilities. Liaoning and Shandong were seen operating in separate areas of the Pacific Ocean over the weekend, the Japanese defence ministry said on Tuesday. The Shandong strike group was seen carrying out what appeared to be take-off and landing operations of its fighter jets and helicopters about 500km southwest of Iwo Jima and north of Okinotori. The Liaoning group was found 300km southwest of Minamitori Island on Saturday and a little further away on Sunday. It was also operating its air wings. The carriers were seen in blue waters beyond Japan 's second chain islands. Seen as the second line of defence in the event of a military escalation by China in the region, the chain comprises a strategic group of islands in the middle of the West Pacific, including a US military base in Guam, around 2,700km from Taiwan. The Japanese military said they dispatched warships and aircraft to monitor the Chinese operations in the region. 'Japan's prompt disclosure of information concerning the carriers underscores its commitment to deter any forceful, unilateral shifts in the regional status quo," defence minister Gen Nakatani told a press conference. Stopping short of criticising Beijing, the minister said Japan had engaged with China to ensure its operations in the international waters did not pose any threat to his country's security. Mr Nakatani said Japan was pursuing a buildup of air defences in the Pacific region and was closely monitoring the movements of Chinese naval vessels. One of the carriers seen on Saturday, Liaoning, was accompanied by guided missile destroyers Wuxi and Tangshan as well as the fast combat support ship Hulunhu, the South China Morning Post reported. Japan previously claimed that Liaoning had sailed within its exclusive economic zone near Minamitorishima, a remote island east of Iwo Jima. Responding to Japan's statement, the Chinese foreign ministry defended the presence of its aircraft carriers in the area and said Beijing's activities were consistent with international law and practice. 'China has always pursued a defensive national defence policy and hopes that the Japanese side will look at the matter objectively and rationally," Lin Jian, foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a news briefing. China has been increasing its presence in East Asian waters since May by sending an unusually large number of naval and coast guard vessels to the region. At the same time, it has been conducting daily military drills in the Taiwan Strait, in what critics have called staging exercises of a military escalation against the self-governed island.
