Latest news with #JapaneseDefenseMinistry
South China Morning Post
11 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Japan warns of collision risks after Chinese fighter jet's ‘abnormal approaches'
Japan has expressed serious concerns to Beijing through diplomatic and defence channels after a Chinese fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong made 'abnormal approaches' to a Japanese patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. In a statement, Tokyo's defence ministry said a J-15 fighter shadowed its P-3C patrol aircraft operating over the Pacific for about 40 minutes from 10.30am on Saturday and again for around 80 minutes from 2pm on Sunday. The ministry said the Chinese fighter approached close to a horizontal distance of about 45 metres with no altitude difference and, in another manoeuvre on Sunday, 'crossed approximately 900 metres ahead of the patrol aircraft's course, with no altitude difference'. The ministry also published images of the Chinese aircraft holding a position just off the P-3C's port and starboard wings. 'Such unusual approaches by Chinese military aircraft could lead to an accidental collision,' the ministry said in the statement, calling on Beijing to take steps against a repeat of such an incident. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, however, said at a press conference on Thursday that the country's military activities 'fully comply with international law and practices'. He insisted Japanese 'close-in reconnaissance activities' of China's 'normal' operations were 'the root cause of maritime and air security risks', according to Kyodo.
The Independent
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Japan hits out at China over close-call with fighter jets
Japan has condemned China 's 'close approaches' after Chinese J-15 fighters flew dangerously near to a Japanese P-3C patrol plane monitoring the Shandong aircraft carrier over the Pacific. The Japanese defence ministry stated that the J-15 fighters tailed the surveillance aircraft for 40 and 80 minutes, respectively, with one instance of a jet crossing 900 metres in front of the P-3C's flight path. Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Japan raised serious concerns with China, urging them to prevent such incidents. Japan delayed disclosing the encounters to interview the P-3C's crew and assess flight data, while also reporting that two Chinese aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, were conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific. China confirmed its carriers were training to test capabilities in far seas defence and joint operations, stating the exercises were routine and not targeting any specific country.
Newsweek
a day ago
- General
- Newsweek
Pictures Show Chinese Jet Buzzing US Ally From Aircraft Carrier
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A patrol aircraft dispatched by Japan—a treaty ally of the United States—was intercepted by fighter jets launched from a Chinese aircraft carrier operating in the wider western Pacific. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense and Foreign Ministries via email for comment. Why It Matters China, which has the world's largest navy by hull count—deployed both of its two aircraft carriers in active service beyond the First Island Chain on Saturday. The island defense line, comprising Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines, is in place to keep China's forces in check. In April, Beijing's state media released undated footage showing a Chinese J-15 flying close to a U.S. F/A-18 carrier-based fighter over an undisclosed maritime location. Aerial intercepts—if conducted in an unsafe or unprofessional manner—can lead to midair collisions, resulting in the loss of aircraft and aircrew. In 2001, a U.S. intelligence plane and a Chinese fighter jet collided near China, killing a Chinese pilot. What To Know On Wednesday, the Japanese Defense Ministry reported an "unusual approach" by Chinese military aircraft toward the Maritime Self-Defense Force, stating that a P-3C patrol aircraft had two encounters with J-15 fighter jets—launched from the aircraft carrier CNS Shandong—over the weekend while flying in international airspace over the Pacific Ocean. A Chinese J-15 fighter jet flies alongside a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on June 8, 2025. A Chinese J-15 fighter jet flies alongside a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on June 8, 2025. Japanese Defense Ministry In the first incident, which occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. local time on Saturday, Chinese fighter jets were spotted flying as close as 45 meters (147 feet) from the Japanese aircraft at the same altitude, which was conducting an unspecified surveillance mission. The following day, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. local time, Chinese fighter jets launched from the Shandong intercepted the Japanese aircraft for a second time, passing in front of it at a much greater distance—900 meters (2,952 feet)—while maintaining the same altitude. One of the photos taken from the Japanese aircraft shows a Chinese fighter jet flying with a missile visible beneath its wing. Another photo shows a jet flying alongside the Japanese plane. The horizontal distance between them in the photos remains unknown. A Chinese J-15 fighter jet flies near a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on June 8, 2025. A Chinese J-15 fighter jet flies near a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on June 8, 2025. Japanese Defense Ministry While there was no damage to the Japanese aircraft and no injuries were reported among its crew in either incident, Tokyo's Defense Ministry expressed serious concerns, stating that the Chinese fighter jets' "abnormal" aerial maneuvers could lead to an accidental collision. According to an earlier press release from the Japanese Defense Ministry, the Shandong was tracked operating with four Chinese naval vessels in the Philippine Sea on Saturday—341 miles southeast of Japan's southwestern island of Miyako—during an eastward voyage. The press release also revealed that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force had deployed a P-3C patrol aircraft to monitor and gather intelligence on the Chinese vessels. Two days later, the Shandong conducted flight operations involving its fighter jets and helicopters. What People Are Saying Senior Captain Wang Xuemeng, spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, said in a statement on Tuesday: "This [dual aircraft carrier deployment] is a routine arrangement included in the annual training plan, aiming to improve the Chinese PLA Navy's ability to fulfill missions. The training complies with relevant international law and practice, and is not targeted at specific countries or entity." Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a press conference on Tuesday: "Let me reiterate that Chinese naval vessels' activities in those waters are fully consistent with international law and international practices. Our national defense policy is defensive in nature. We hope Japan will view those activities objectively and rationally." What Happens Next Such close aerial encounters between Japanese and Chinese military aircraft are likely to continue as China's two aircraft carriers operate in waters near Japan's more remote islands.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Japan finds pair of Chinese aircraft carriers conducting operations in Pacific for first time
The Japanese navy sighted two Chinese aircraft carriers conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time in a move signalling Beijing 's intention to expand its blue water capabilities. Liaoning and Shandong were seen operating in separate areas of the Pacific Ocean over the weekend, the Japanese defence ministry said on Tuesday. The Shandong strike group was seen carrying out what appeared to be take-off and landing operations of its fighter jets and helicopters about 500km southwest of Iwo Jima and north of Okinotori. The Liaoning group was found 300km southwest of Minamitori Island on Saturday and a little further away on Sunday. It was also operating its air wings. The carriers were seen in blue waters beyond Japan 's second chain islands. Seen as the second line of defence in the event of a military escalation by China in the region, the chain comprises a strategic group of islands in the middle of the West Pacific, including a US military base in Guam, around 2,700km from Taiwan. The Japanese military said they dispatched warships and aircraft to monitor the Chinese operations in the region. 'Japan's prompt disclosure of information concerning the carriers underscores its commitment to deter any forceful, unilateral shifts in the regional status quo," defence minister Gen Nakatani told a press conference. Stopping short of criticising Beijing, the minister said Japan had engaged with China to ensure its operations in the international waters did not pose any threat to his country's security. Mr Nakatani said Japan was pursuing a buildup of air defences in the Pacific region and was closely monitoring the movements of Chinese naval vessels. One of the carriers seen on Saturday, Liaoning, was accompanied by guided missile destroyers Wuxi and Tangshan as well as the fast combat support ship Hulunhu, the South China Morning Post reported. Japan previously claimed that Liaoning had sailed within its exclusive economic zone near Minamitorishima, a remote island east of Iwo Jima. Responding to Japan's statement, the Chinese foreign ministry defended the presence of its aircraft carriers in the area and said Beijing's activities were consistent with international law and practice. 'China has always pursued a defensive national defence policy and hopes that the Japanese side will look at the matter objectively and rationally," Lin Jian, foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a news briefing. China has been increasing its presence in East Asian waters since May by sending an unusually large number of naval and coast guard vessels to the region. At the same time, it has been conducting daily military drills in the Taiwan Strait, in what critics have called staging exercises of a military escalation against the self-governed island.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
China's Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers sail beyond second island chain
In an unprecedented show of strength, the Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong have been exercising in the western Pacific Ocean beyond the second island chain , according to the Japanese defence ministry. In a statement on Monday, the ministry said the Shandong strike group was spotted earlier that day, conducting take-off and landing operations of its jet fighters and helicopters about 500km (311 miles) southwest of Iwo Jima and north of Okinotori. It followed the ministry's statement on Sunday that the Liaoning group had been located on Saturday 300km (186 miles) southwest of Minamitori Island. It was seen again on Sunday, a little further away. The carrier was also reported to be operating its ship-borne air wings. All of the isles mentioned are in Japan's Ogasawara Islands, also known as the Bonins. Alongside Guam and the rest of the Marianas, as well as the western Carolines and other small Pacific archipelagos, they form a strategic band known as the second island chain. Most notably, the Liaoning group travelled further east than Guam, the most fortified US military base in the band, marking the first time a Chinese navy carrier has reached beyond the second island chain. Previous deployments – by the Liaoning in December 2022 and the Shandong in April 2023 – were some distance northwest of Guam. The Liaoning's easternmost recorded location this time was about 3,200km (1,990 miles) from Midway Atoll and 5,500km (3,420 miles) from Hawaii. The two 60,000-tonne Kuznetsov-class vessels – the PLA Navy's only active carriers, with the Fujian still undergoing sea trials – were escorted by warships of significant size, representing China's most powerful maritime strike forces to date.
