China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier has been spotted in waters southeast of the Philippines, carrying out manoeuvres as the US and its regional partners prepare for joint military exercises.
The Joint Staff under the Japanese Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday that the Chinese carrier, escorted by four destroyers and one fast combat support ship, was reported earlier this week sailing southeast of the Philippine main island of Mindanao and heading towards the Celebes Sea.
The Joint Staff said the Liaoning began its deployment in late September, passing near Okinotorishima, Japan’s southernmost point, on September 20-21 and was last reported to be about 1,520km (945 miles) southwest of the atoll.
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The transit near Okinotori is the Liaoning’s closest approach to Japan’s southwestern territories so far and prompted a diplomatic protest from Tokyo. Japan expressed concern that such movements posed a threat to regional security and stability.
The Joint Staff also said that between September 27 and October 1, Chinese fighter aircraft and helicopters conducted about 220 combined take-offs and landings from the vessels.
That was in addition to 410 aircraft sorties conducted from the ships from September 20-26, the Joint Staff said.
The People’s Liberation Army has increased use of shipborne fighter jets in its military pressure tactics around Taiwan in recent months, particularly to approach the island’s east side – the far side from the mainland.
According to a programme on state broadcaster CCTV, the PLA tested a new type of ship-borne fighter jet on the Liaoning last month.
The Liaoning’s manoeuvres come as a task force of US Marines prepares for joint exercises with Philippine personnel this month.
The US Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia will take part in the Sama Sama 2024 and Kamandag 8 drills from October 7 to 24, aiming to “maintain a forward presence in the region to counterbalance China’s growing influence by enhancing cooperation and interoperability between the US and its regional partners”.
Tensions are rising in the South China Sea between Beijing and Manila, with coastguard forces from both countries coming to blows in disputed waters in the past months.
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