[Japan Defense Ministry: Chinese Navy Liaoning Carrier Group Transits Miyako Strait]
According to the Joint Staff Office of Japan's Ministry of Defense on October 14, 2026: Around 11 a.m. on October 13, 2026, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force detected a Chinese naval fleet sailing southward approximately 390 kilometers southwest of the Noto Islands (in Nagasaki Prefecture). The fleet consisted of: the Liaoning aircraft carrier (Type 16, Kuznetsov-class), two Type 055 guided-missile destroyers (Hull Numbers 103 Anshan and 104 Wuxi), and one Type 052D guided-missile destroyer (Hull Number 123 Huainan), totaling four vessels.
Subsequently, on October 14, Japan Self-Defense Forces confirmed that these vessels were proceeding southeastward and had transited the waters between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island—the Miyako Strait—heading into the Pacific Ocean.
Additionally, on the same day (October 14), Japanese forces confirmed flight operations involving carrier-based fighter aircraft aboard the Liaoning aircraft carrier in waters approximately 250 kilometers south of Ishigaki Island (in Okinawa Prefecture).
Japanese defense authorities conducted surveillance and intelligence gathering through the following assets: the "Yukikaze" patrol vessel (based in Yokosuka), assigned to the 1st Maritime Squadron of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force; the P-1 patrol aircraft (based in Atsugi), assigned to the 4th Air Group; and the P-3C patrol aircraft (based in Naha), assigned to the 5th Air Group. In response to the carrier-based aircraft operations, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force also implemented emergency scramble measures.
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Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879021509060612/
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