TOKYO/TAIPEI, Sept 18 (Askume) – A Chinese aircraft carrier temporarily entered waters off Japan for the first time on Wednesday, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported, in a fresh encounter that could escalate tensions between the neighbours.
According to NHK, the aircraft carrier sailed between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands in southern Japan, and entered a zone up to 24 nautical miles from its coastline, an area where Japan can exert some control under United Nations rules.
Japan’s Defense Ministry had no immediate comment.
Last month, a Japanese naval survey ship entered Japanese waters shortly after violating its airspace and lodged a protest with China. In July this year, a Japanese navy destroyer made a rare foray into Chinese territorial waters near Taiwan, according to Japanese media reports.
China has stepped up its military activities around Japan and Taiwan in recent years, causing concern in Tokyo. Japan has responded by stepping up its security, saying it aims to deter Beijing from using force to advance its territorial claims in the region.
Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said it had spotted the same Chinese aircraft carrier in waters off its east coast, heading toward Japan’s southernmost island of Yonaguni, about 110 kilometres (69 miles) east of Taiwan.
China regards democratically governed Taiwan as its territory and has conducted regular exercises on the island for five years in a bid to force it to accept Beijing’s sovereignty claims despite Taipei’s strong objections.
The Chinese ships, led by the Liaoning, the oldest of China’s three aircraft carriers, were seen travelling through waters northeast of Taiwan early Wednesday morning, the Defence Ministry said.
The fleet then headed southeast to Yonaguni Island, which can be seen from Taiwan on clear days, the ministry said in a statement.
Taiwan said it was tracking the ships and sent troops to monitor them.
China’s Defence Ministry did not respond to calls seeking comment.
