Image Credits : Kyodo News
China’s Ministry of Defence in response to recent accusations from Japan regarding the presence of a Chinese aircraft carrier in its territorial waters, stated on 18 September 2024 that the carrier was conducting routine training exercises in the region. This assertion comes amid heightened tensions in East Asia, where maritime sovereignty claims have increasingly become flashpoints between China and its regional neighbours.
The Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was reported to have entered Japan’s contiguous zone near the Senkaku Islands, known as Diaoyu in China. These uninhabited islets are a longstanding source of diplomatic friction between the two nations, as both claim sovereignty over the territory. Japan’s Defence Ministry had previously expressed concern over the carrier’s presence, indicating that it could pose a threat to regional stability.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Chinese Defence Ministry asserted that the carrier was on a “normal training mission” and reiterated China’s right to operate its naval vessels in areas it deems necessary for its national defence. “Our military activities are conducted by international law and are routine in nature,” the spokesperson remarked, urging Japan not to overreact to what they described as standard naval operations.
The US State Department recently reaffirmed its commitment to Japan’s security, condemning any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo in the East China Sea. The Liaoning’s movements highlight not only the complexities of maritime disputes but also the intricate web of alliances and tensions that define contemporary geopolitics in East Asia.