China has sent two aircraft carriers into the Pacific for joint military drills, signaling a bold new chapter in its naval ambitions.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani confirmed the exercises began Saturday and said Monday that the carriers were observed launching and recovering jet fighters to the east of Iwo Jima.
To bulk up its naval might, China is expanding its number of carriers: A third is being sea tested, and a fourth is being constructed.
The Japan Times adds that “the vast waters of the western Pacific Ocean have long been seen as one weak point in Japan’s defense architecture.”
The Global Times reports that a Chinese Foreign Ministry rep elaborated: “Let me reiterate that Chinese naval vessels’ activities in those waters are fully consistent with international law and international practices.
A bold new chapter in China’s naval ambitions has begun with the deployment of two aircraft carriers into the Pacific for joint military exercises. On Monday, Japanese Defense Minister Gen. Nakatani reported that the carriers were seen launching and recovering jet fighters east of Iwo Jima, confirming that the exercises had started on Saturday. It is the first time China’s Liaoning and Shandong carriers, as well as support vessels, have collaborated outside of the First Island Chain, which is a group of islands comprising Japan, Taiwan, portions of the Philippines, and Indonesia. Beijing has attempted to expand its military presence beyond this region.
China is increasing the number of its carriers in order to strengthen its naval power: a third is being built, and a fourth is being sea tested. “By cruising beyond Japan, the Chinese warships are demonstrating that they could challenge not only Japan but also its biggest ally, the United States, for control of the western Pacific during a crisis,” the New York Times explained, pointing out that all are smaller than America’s eleven nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. In order to get to Japan or Taiwan, ships from the US would need to pass close to those waters if they were sent from Hawaii, the West Coast, or even Guam. “.
The expansive waters of the western Pacific Ocean have long been viewed as a single vulnerability in Japan’s defense strategy, according to the Japan Times. The operation was confirmed by the Chinese navy on Tuesday, according to the Japan Times, and was intended “to test the forces’ capabilities in far-seas defense and joint operations.”. “Let me reiterate that Chinese naval vessels’ activities in those waters are fully consistent with international law and international practices,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry representative told the Global Times. The nature of our national defense strategy is defensive. We hope Japan will take a logical and impartial stance toward those actions. AI was used in the creation of this content. Go over our AI policy in detail. ().
