Image Credits: ChinaPower Project - CSIS
Japan’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Chinese Navy’s aircraft carrier Liaoning, along with two accompanying vessels, made a notable passage through Japan’s contiguous zone. This event marks the first recorded entry of a Chinese aircraft carrier into these waters, specifically between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
According to the Joint Staff Office, the vessels were detected approximately 210 kilometers northwest of the Uotsuri Islands at around 7 PM on September 17. The group then continued southward, moving through the contiguous zone and into the Pacific Ocean on September 18. The contiguous zone, which extends 24 nautical miles from a nation’s territorial waters, allows coastal states to impose certain regulations concerning customs, immigration, and sanitation.
This maneuver comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, particularly concerning the Senkaku Islands—referred to as the Diaoyu Islands by China—where both countries assert sovereignty. The presence of the Liaoning in close proximity to Japanese territory raises concerns about military assertiveness and the potential for increased friction in these disputed waters.
In response to this passage, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary expressed concern over the implications of such military activities in the area. The event underscores the shifting dynamics of maritime security in East Asia, where both Japan and China are increasingly vigilant about their respective territorial claims.
This incident follows a series of heightened military engagements in the region, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions involving China, Japan, and the United States. The presence of the Liaoning and its accompanying vessels is likely to prompt a reassessment of naval strategies among neighboring nations as they navigate the complexities of national security and regional stability. As the situation evolves, close monitoring of military movements and diplomatic responses will be essential in understanding the implications for regional peace and security.