Japan's Defense Ministry says aircraft have been observed taking off from and landing on a Chinese aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa Prefecture, southern Japan.
Ministry officials believe the Chinese military carried out a drill.
The ministry said five Chinese vessels, including the carrier Liaoning, were seen on Saturday morning in the Pacific about 260 kilometers southwest of Okidaitojima Island in the prefecture.
The ministry said fighter jets and helicopters were later spotted repeatedly taking off from and landing on the carrier. This is the first confirmation of such activities on a Chinese aircraft carrier in the Pacific since May.
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets. The Chinese aircraft did not enter Japan's airspace.
The Liaoning and some other vessels sailed from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean on Friday, passing between Okinawa's main island and Miyakojima Island.
Japanese officials say the vessels did not enter Japan's territorial waters.
Japan's Defense Ministry is maintaining close surveillance.
Ministry officials believe the Chinese military carried out a drill.
The ministry said five Chinese vessels, including the carrier Liaoning, were seen on Saturday morning in the Pacific about 260 kilometers southwest of Okidaitojima Island in the prefecture.
The ministry said fighter jets and helicopters were later spotted repeatedly taking off from and landing on the carrier. This is the first confirmation of such activities on a Chinese aircraft carrier in the Pacific since May.
Japan's Air Self-Defense Force scrambled fighter jets. The Chinese aircraft did not enter Japan's airspace.
The Liaoning and some other vessels sailed from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean on Friday, passing between Okinawa's main island and Miyakojima Island.
Japanese officials say the vessels did not enter Japan's territorial waters.
Japan's Defense Ministry is maintaining close surveillance.
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Summary
Chinese aircraft carrier, Liaoning, observed taking off and landing in Pacific Ocean near Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Japanese Defense Ministry confirms drill by Chinese military. Five vessels including Liaoning spotted, with fighter jets and helicopters seen repeatedly taking off and landing. This
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ID: 8d680306-fb4d-4c33-a5a4-8b6876a041b6
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221218_21/
Date: Dec. 18, 2022
Created: 2022/12/18 22:38
Updated: 2025/12/09 10:16
Last Read: 2025/12/08 16:55