China’s Carrier Group Enters Japanese Waters, Alarms Tokyo
China’s military has taken a bold step in regional naval assertiveness by sailing a full aircraft carrier strike group, led by the Liaoning, into Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) over the weekend. This marks the first time China’s naval forces have directly entered Japanese-claimed waters near Minamitori Island, escalating tensions between the two Asian powers.
China Expands Naval Presence
The Chinese naval formation included the Liaoning aircraft carrier, advanced missile destroyers, and a supply vessel. The fleet entered the waters approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Japan’s Minamitori Island, situated in a remote part of the Pacific Ocean, far from China’s usual area of operations. After briefly entering Japan’s EEZ, the Chinese fleet moved into open waters and began high-intensity flight operations.
Fighter jets and helicopters launched from the Liaoning’s deck conducted combat drills, signaling China’s ability to carry out sustained military operations far beyond its coastline. This move is widely interpreted as a show of force and a test of extended-range power projection by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy.
Japan Responds with Heightened Surveillance
The Japanese government swiftly responded by deploying the JS Haguro, a guided-missile destroyer, to shadow the Chinese flotilla. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary confirmed that a strong diplomatic protest was lodged with Beijing, and enhanced surveillance operations were activated in the surrounding airspace and maritime zones.
Japan’s Defense Ministry sees this development as a deliberate attempt by China to normalize its presence in distant waters and challenge regional norms. The timing—alongside the simultaneous presence of the Shandong carrier group in the western Pacific—raises alarms about China’s broader strategic intentions.
Regional Strategic Concerns
The dual carrier operations conducted by China for the first time in the Pacific signal a new level of military preparedness and assertiveness. Defense analysts suggest that such maneuvers are not merely symbolic but could be rehearsals for larger contingencies, including scenarios involving Taiwan or Japan’s outlying territories.
While China has framed the operations as routine and compliant with international law, regional actors interpret the move as a calculated provocation. The incident underscores the growing maritime competition in the Indo-Pacific and signals a shift in China’s willingness to project naval power well beyond its traditional boundaries.
Japan, meanwhile, is expected to step up its coordination with the United States and regional allies to counterbalance this growing naval assertiveness.
