Overview
- Japanese defence officials confirmed that on June 8-9 the Liaoning and Shandong carriers operated simultaneously in the western Pacific for the first time.
- Liaoning sailed about 300 km southwest of Minamitori Island, entering Japan’s exclusive economic zone and marking its first transit beyond the second island chain.
- Shandong and four accompanying vessels conducted takeoff and landing drills with fighter jets and helicopters north of Okinotori and southeast of Miyako Island.
- Japan’s defence minister Gen Nakatani warned that China’s activity should not threaten Japan’s safety and said Tokyo is ramping up naval and aerial monitoring.
- China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the carrier movements were routine training fully in line with international law and intended to sharpen China’s distant-area operational capabilities.