The Chinese and Russian naval task forces conducted shooting drills near Okinotorishima Island, which Japan designates as a surveillance target.

[Japan Ministry of Defense: Chinese and Russian Naval Task Force Conducts Firing Drills Near Okinotorishima]

According to the Joint Staff Department of Japan's Ministry of Defense on July 21, 2026: Around 2 a.m. on July 19, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force detected a total of four vessels sailing toward the northeast approximately 330 kilometers southwest of Okinotorishima, consisting of:

The Chinese Navy's Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Anshan (hull number 103), Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Kaifeng (hull number 124), Type 903 comprehensive supply ship Kekexili Lake (hull number 903), and the Russian Navy's Project 20380 corvette Zhestokiy (hull number 343).

Subsequently, Japanese authorities confirmed that the Chinese Navy’s Kaifeng conducted firing drills approximately 180 kilometers southwest of Okinotorishima.

It is further noted that this task force is the same group that passed through the waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island (Miyako Strait) on July 16, heading southward.

The Japan Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces dispatched the destroyer "Asagiri" (home port: Kure Base), belonging to the 2nd Escort Squadron of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, to conduct surveillance, monitoring, and intelligence gathering operations against this formation.

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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871276280475720/

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