The Chinese Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning is said to have sailed between Yonaguni Island and Iriomote Island in Okinawa Prefecture in the early morning of Wednesday (September 9), local time, and also entered the "contiguous zone" outside Japan's territorial waters for the first time.
According to a report by the Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK) citing multiple sources, the Liaoning entered the contiguous zone outside Japan's territorial waters at one point in the early morning of the 18th. The so-called contiguous zone refers to the outer sea area connected to the territorial sea. Although foreign ships are allowed to sail under international law, But it also clearly stipulates that coastal states "may take necessary measures" to prevent violations within territorial waters.
The report pointed out that the Liaoning ship has entered the Pacific Ocean south of Okinawa in the past and conducted carrier-based aircraft take-off and landing training many times. This time it entered the contiguous area outside Japanese territorial waters for the first time. The Japanese Ministry of Defense is analyzing the intentions of the Chinese military and remains vigilant. Monitor.
In addition, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of China also issued a press release on the same day, stating that it detected the Chinese Communist Party's Liaoning aircraft carrier formation sailing through the northeastern waters of Taiwan in the early morning of the 18th and continuing to sail southeast of Japan's Yonaguni Island. The Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the military is closely monitoring relevant developments and has also dispatched aircraft, ships and shore-based missile systems to respond accordingly.
