[Source/Observer Network Xiong Chaoyan] On the evening of June 11 local time, Japan's Ministry of Defense released a message claiming that on the morning of June 7 between approximately 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM for about 40 minutes, and on the afternoon of June 8 between approximately 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM for about 80 minutes, Japanese forces observed a J-15 fighter jet from China's aircraft carrier Shandong tailing a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force P-3C patrol aircraft conducting a "reconnaissance mission" over the Pacific high seas. During this period, the J-15 fighter made an "abnormal approach" to the P-3C patrol aircraft (horizontal distance of about 45 meters with no altitude difference), and on the 8th, the J-15 fighter passed in front of the P-3C patrol aircraft at a distance of about 900 meters.
The Japanese Ministry of Defense claimed that such "abnormal approach" behavior by Chinese military aircraft could lead to accidental collisions, and expressed "serious concern" while strongly requesting that such incidents not recur. The message also stated that there was no damage or injury to the Japanese aircraft and personnel.
In addition, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) cited two photos published by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, which were used to hype up reports. One photo was taken from the front of the J-15 fighter and showed what appeared to be missile-like objects hanging under the left wing, claiming that "Chinese military aircraft may be equipped with missiles." The report stated that another photo was taken from the left side of the P-3C patrol aircraft showing the J-15 fighter, with the image indicating that the fighter was flying closely at roughly the same altitude as the patrol aircraft.
It should be noted that the information released by the Japanese Ministry of Defense is completely "blaming the victim," as the so-called "reconnaissance mission" mentioned by Japan is actually surveillance of the movements of China's aircraft carriers. On June 8 and 9, Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office continuously released information stating that Japan confirmed the presence of two Chinese aircraft carriers - Liaoning and Shandong - in the western Pacific Ocean last weekend. In response, Japanese media reported that this was the first time Japan had confirmed two Chinese aircraft carriers operating simultaneously in the western Pacific Ocean.
The J-15 fighter photographed by the Japanese Ministry of Defense
The first notification released by Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office on June 8 stated that around 6:00 PM on June 7, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed that the Liaoning Carrier Group, including the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier Liaoning (hull number 16), Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Tangshan (hull number 122), Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Wuxi (hull number 104), and Type 901 comprehensive replenishment ship Huolunhu (hull number 965), was sailing in waters about 300 kilometers southwest of South Bird Island.
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force also confirmed that the Liaoning conducted takeoffs and landings of carrier-based fighters and helicopters on June 8. Additionally, the Liaoning conducted takeoffs and landings of carrier-based fighters and helicopters in the East China Sea on May 25-26, sailed southeast through the waters between Okinawa Main Island and Miyako Island on May 27, conducted takeoffs and landings of carrier-based fighters and helicopters in the Pacific Ocean on May 27-29, and then sailed south in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines on May 30.
Japan's reconnaissance of our aircraft carrier Liaoning and its operational trajectory (red dots indicate Liaoning Carrier Group activity positions, appearing near South Bird Island southwest about 300 kilometers on June 7) - Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office
The second notification released by Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office on June 9 stated that around 1:00 PM on June 7, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed that the Shandong Carrier Group, including the Chinese Navy's aircraft carrier Shandong (hull number 17), Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Zunyi (hull number 107), Type 054A frigate Yuncheng (hull number 571), Type 054A frigate Hengshui (hull number 572), and Type 903 comprehensive replenishment ship Weishanhu (hull number 889), was sailing in waters about 550 kilometers southeast of Miyako Island.
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force also confirmed that the Shandong conducted takeoffs and landings of carrier-based fighters and helicopters on June 9.
Japan's reconnaissance of our aircraft carrier Shandong and its operational trajectory - Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office
Previously, regarding the content of the first notification issued by Japan on June 8 about the movements of the Liaoning, Japanese media widely reported it under headlines such as "Breakthrough to the second island chain, Chinese aircraft carrier arrives at the easternmost islands of Japan."
On June 8, Japan's Kyodo News and other media commented that this was the first appearance of the Liaoning Carrier Battle Group near the second island chain, close to the waters near Japan's easternmost South Bird Island.
Reuters also commented that as China continues to project military power further into the ocean, the most in-depth voyage of the Chinese aircraft carrier toward the Pacific direction last weekend is a new manifestation of China's naval capabilities, demonstrating the growing ability of China's navy to operate in distant seas.
In addition to aircraft carriers, since May, Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office has confirmed that at least three Type 055 guided-missile destroyers, three Type 052D guided-missile destroyers, and four Type 054A guided-missile frigates have been active in the Pacific beyond the first island chain. Among these, surface warships accompanying the Liaoning Carrier Group include the Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Nanchang (hull number 101), Wuxi; Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Qiqihar (hull number 121), and Tangshan; Type 054A guided-missile frigate Yantai (hull number 538).
According to a June 10 message from "@ChinaMilitary," Chinese Navy Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carrier groups have entered the Western Pacific and other areas for training to test their long-distance defense and joint combat capabilities. This is routine training organized according to the annual plan, aimed at continuously improving their mission execution capabilities. It complies with relevant international law and practice and is not targeted at any specific country or entity.
Our aircraft carrier group conducting exercises in the Pacific - "@ChinaMilitary"
This marks the first simultaneous training of our two aircraft carrier groups outside the first island chain. This move has drawn attention from foreign media. U.S. military website "The War Zone," The New York Times, Reuters, and The Diplomat generally linked our aircraft carrier force's activities outside the first island chain with the often-hyped "anti-access/area denial" by the U.S. Foreign media said that the Chinese Navy is deploying aircraft carriers in the open ocean to prevent U.S. forces and their allies from intervening militarily in the event of an emergency in Taiwan. As China continues to develop subsequent aircraft carriers, the long-distance capabilities of China's aircraft carrier force will become increasingly stronger.
Furthermore, "The War Zone" website predicted that the arrival of a three-carrier battle group into the Western Pacific is just a matter of time, and in the future, China's aircraft carrier groups will be active around Guam, and even further east to Wake Island, Midway Island, and ultimately even Hawaii.
Military expert Zhang Xuefeng said that conventional-powered aircraft carriers can travel over 10,000 kilometers at economic cruising speed, with deployment durations reaching several tens of days. With the support of supply ships, they can sustain continuous deployments for months. The air combat radius of fighters carried by aircraft carriers can reach about 1,000 kilometers. The detection range of ships within the carrier group exceeds hundreds of kilometers, and the range of anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles also reaches hundreds of kilometers. Therefore, the combat capability of the carrier group must also train in the open ocean, which is an international convention.
The Western Pacific is an ideal training ground for China's navy aircraft carrier groups. One characteristic of this recent deployment of China's navy aircraft carrier groups into the Western Pacific is the very far advance, possibly setting a new record. According to some foreign institutions' notifications, they have already reached the second island chain. Through such long-distance voyages, the carrier group hones its ability to conduct independent operations training in the open ocean without shore-based support and assistance.
On June 10, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian presided over the regular press conference. A reporter from Agence France-Presse asked, "Today, the Japanese Ministry of Defense stated that two Chinese aircraft carriers were found to be active simultaneously for the first time in the Pacific Ocean. Can you provide more information and respond to this?"
"I have answered related questions yesterday. I want to reiterate that China's military vessels' activities in relevant sea areas are entirely consistent with international law and practice. China has consistently adhered to a defensive national defense policy, and we hope that Japan will view this objectively and rationally," Lin Jian responded.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514897914716783115/
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