China Deploys Two Aircraft Carriers in Pacific for the First Time, Alarming Japan
For the first time, China deployed two aircraft carriers, Shandong and Liaoning, in the Pacific Ocean near Japan’s EEZ. Japan expressed serious concern over China's growing military activity in distant waters.
Highlights:
- First-ever deployment of two Chinese aircraft carriers in the Pacific simultaneously.
- Chinese vessels entered Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Okinotori atoll.
- Military aircraft took off and landed during operations near Japan and Taiwan.
- Japan and US view this move as part of China’s broader strategy in the Pacific.
Tokyo: Japan's Defense Ministry has reported the first-ever instance of two Chinese aircraft carriers — Shandong and Liaoning — operating simultaneously in the Pacific Ocean. This move marks a significant escalation in China’s long-distance naval exercises, raising regional security concerns.
According to the Ministry, the Shandong, accompanied by four other vessels including a missile destroyer, entered Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near the remote Okinotori atoll on Monday. The ministry noted that fighter jets and helicopters were observed conducting take-offs and landings on the carrier during the operation.
Earlier on Saturday, the same fleet was spotted approximately 550 kilometers southeast of Miyako Island, located near Taiwan. These maneuvers indicate a growing assertiveness in China's military posture in the western Pacific, especially in contested regions.
The Liaoning, China’s other active aircraft carrier, had crossed Japan’s EEZ over the weekend before exiting to conduct similar drills involving aircraft. This marked the first time Tokyo confirmed a Chinese carrier had crossed the "second island chain"—a strategic area between Japan’s Ogasawara Islands and the US territory of Guam.
A spokesperson from Japan’s defense ministry emphasized the significance of this activity: "This is the first time two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted operating in the Pacific at the same time," he said, adding that the purpose was likely to enhance operational capability and long-range mission readiness.
Analysts and officials from Japan and the US interpret this as part of China’s broader military objective to diminish American influence in the region. The ultimate goal, they suggest, is to dominate the region west of the second island chain, asserting maritime control and deterring foreign military presence.