Amid tense Sino-Japanese relations, Japan's Ministry of Defense stated that Chinese Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning recently conducted about 260 takeoff and landing drills of carrier-based fighters and helicopters in the Pacific Ocean.
According to Kyodo News, the Joint Staff Office of Japan's Ministry of Defense issued a statement last Friday (December 12) saying that from December 6 to 12, Liaoning carried out approximately 260 carrier-based fighter and helicopter takeoff and landing exercises in the Pacific Ocean.
The Joint Staff Office of the Ministry of Defense also mentioned that on Friday, Liaoning, along with missile destroyers and others, sailed northwest from between Okinawa Main Island and Miyako Island, leaving the Pacific.
Recently, China's aircraft carrier strike group has been sailing and conducting exercises in waters near Japan. Japan reported that China's Liaoning carrier-based J-15 fighters twice illuminated the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's F-15 jets with radar in international waters southeast of Okinawa Island on December 6.
Fighter jet radars are used for fire control during missile launch preparations and for surrounding searches.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated on December 8 that Japan would respond calmly and firmly, and would continue to monitor Chinese military activities in waters surrounding Japan.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated on December 8 that Japan would respond calmly and firmly, and would continue to monitor Chinese military activities in waters surrounding Japan.