Image Credits : Lowy Institute
A Chinese aircraft carrier ‘Liaoning’ entered Japan’s contiguous zone for the first time on 18th September 2024, sparking diplomatic tension between Tokyo and Beijing. The ‘Liaoning’, escorted by two Chinese destroyers, sailed through the waters between Japan’s southern Yonaguni and Iriomote islands, part of Okinawa Prefecture, before heading into the Pacific Ocean. Though no territorial waters were breached, the incident raised concerns over regional security.
Japan’s Defense Ministry confirmed the passage, stating the Chinese vessels temporarily entered the contiguous zone, which extends up to 24 nautical miles from a country’s coastline. While international law permits foreign vessels to navigate through this zone, coastal nations retain the right to take action against illegal activities. The Chinese presence in the area was met with swift diplomatic pushback from Tokyo. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshi Moriya condemned the move, calling it “utterly unacceptable” from a security standpoint and highlighting its implications for Japan and the wider region. Japan’s government has since conveyed its serious concerns to Beijing through diplomatic channels.
The latest entry comes against a backdrop of escalating Chinese military activity near Japan and Taiwan. Earlier, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense reported sighting the ‘Liaoning’ and its accompanying ships as they sailed northeast of Taiwan, en route to Japanese waters. Taiwanese authorities responded by tracking the Chinese flotilla and monitoring its movements closely.
This incident is part of a broader trend of increasing tensions between China and Japan. In recent months, Japan has protested against a series of Chinese military manoeuvres, including airspace breaches and naval incursions. In August, a Chinese military spy plane entered Japanese airspace near the Danjo Archipelago, drawing sharp criticism from Tokyo. Japan’s defense establishment has been strengthening its military capabilities in response to China’s growing assertiveness in the region, particularly around the disputed islands and Taiwan.