Japan’s Ministry of Defense has raised concerns after detecting what it suspects were simulated combat drills by Chinese aircraft carriers in proximity to U.S. military assets in the western Pacific.
According to a statement released over the weekend, Japanese defense officials observed the Chinese navy’s Shandong and Fujian aircraft carriers operating alongside several escort vessels in a pattern that resembled offensive maneuvers against hypothetical enemy targets, which Japan believes were modeled after U.S. naval forces.
The exercises took place in international waters but within a zone increasingly contested by regional powers. Japanese reconnaissance aircraft and destroyers monitored the movements closely, noting a coordinated launch of fighter jets and early-warning aircraft from the carriers. Tokyo said the drill formations “mirrored scenarios involving engagements with U.S. warships.”
“This appears to be part of China’s ongoing efforts to develop carrier-based strike capabilities with real-world applications,” a senior Japanese defense official told NHK on condition of anonymity. “The proximity to U.S. operational areas and the nature of the exercises are deeply concerning.”
While Beijing has not commented directly on the allegations, previous Chinese military communiqués have emphasized their right to conduct “routine drills” in international waters. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has consistently rejected claims that its navy’s growing presence threatens regional stability.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has yet to issue a formal response but acknowledged the activity, reiterating its commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Analysts say the timing of the drills, coming just days after joint U.S.-Japan naval exercises in the Philippine Sea, may be a strategic message from Beijing amid intensifying geopolitical friction.
Japan has boosted surveillance and increased its defense budget in recent years, citing China’s maritime assertiveness and the growing complexity of security threats in the region.
source: Japantimes.com