Japan’s Defense Ministry reported that China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning and its escort ships carried out military drills in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines between May 26 and May 28.
The fleet operated near Luzon Island and conducted around 170 aircraft and helicopter take-offs and landings while sailing through the western Pacific. At one point, the carrier group came within about 590 kilometers southeast of Japan’s Miyakojima Island.
Japan said the Liaoning was moving southeast of the Philippines on Friday. Taiwan has also been tracking the carrier, noting it was the first Chinese aircraft carrier to pass through the Taiwan Strait since December.
The increased naval activity comes as China responds to strengthening security cooperation between Japan, the Philippines, and the United States.
(Reuters )
