Chinese Carrier Group Enters Japan’s Economic Zone, Raising Concerns

TOKYO — A Chinese aircraft carrier group entered Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for the first time over the weekend, prompting heightened tensions in the region. The Liaoning, China’s first aircraft carrier, was observed along with two missile destroyers and a support ship roughly 185 miles southwest of Minamitorishima on Saturday evening, according to Japan’s defense ministry.

This incursion marks a significant development in China’s expanding naval presence and has raised alarms in Tokyo and Washington. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi confirmed that while the government had not lodged a formal protest, it conveyed an appropriate message to the Chinese side. “We will do our utmost to perform our warning and surveillance duties at sea and in the air,” Hayashi said.

The Liaoning’s activities took place within Japan’s EEZ, an area extending up to 200 nautical miles from its coastline, which is rich in rare-earth minerals. After entering the EEZ, the Chinese carrier group conducted landing and take-off drills with fighter jets and helicopters, according to the Japanese Joint Staff.

Minamitorishima, located about 1,900 km southeast of Tokyo, has become a focal point for both nations due to its strategic significance and mineral resources. The area is also the subject of ongoing territorial disputes, particularly between Japan and China over the uninhabited Senkaku Islands, known as Diaoyu in China.

This latest incident is part of a broader trend, with Chinese vessels frequently entering Japanese waters. Last month, for instance, the Liaoning sailed between two southern Japanese islands within the EEZ, and has previously crossed into Japan’s contiguous waters.

Japan has ramped up its surveillance in response to these incursions, deploying the JS Haguro destroyer to monitor the Chinese activity. “We think the Chinese military is trying to improve its operational capabilities and ability to conduct operations in distant areas,” a defense spokesperson told reporters.

The Japanese government expressed serious concerns over the situation, with Hayashi emphasizing the importance of maintaining security in these waters. The actions of the Liaoning align with China’s ongoing efforts to enhance its naval capabilities.

The Liaoning was last spotted in the East China Sea before heading southeast, where it performed flight operations on multiple occasions as it approaches Japan’s maritime boundaries.