Official Photographer: "Massive Warship" Discovered in the Tsushima Strait
As reported by Japanese media outlet "Norimono" on May 11; the Japan Defense Agency's Joint Staff Office announced confirmation of three Chinese naval "massive warships" detected near the Tsushima Strait, off the coast of Shimane Prefecture's Tsushima Island, and released photos taken by Self-Defense Forces personnel.
A total of three vessels were confirmed: missile destroyers "Guiyang" and "Chengdu," along with missile destroyer "Lhasa." These ships appeared approximately 60 kilometers northeast of Tsushima Island around 11 p.m. on May 1. It is reported that they passed through the Tsushima Strait on the 2nd, heading toward the East China Sea.
Regarding these Chinese vessels, the missile boat "OTAKA," belonging to the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Third Patrol and Defense Unit, carried out surveillance, monitoring, and intelligence-gathering missions.
The "Guiyang" and "Lhasa" vessels entered the Sea of Japan from the East China Sea between March 30 and 31. Thus, it is believed they have been deployed in the Sea of Japan for an extended period.
The "Chengdu" vessel also entered the Sea of Japan from the East China Sea on March 30–31, then passed through the Tsushima Strait consecutively on April 27 and 28. Unlike previous patterns, this represents repeated entries and exits into the Sea of Japan within a short timeframe.
The "Guiyang" and "Chengdu" vessels are mainstay warships of the Chinese Navy, also known as the "Chinese Aegis." The "Lhasa" vessel is the largest destroyer in the Chinese Navy, with a standard displacement of 11,000 tons—exceeding both the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyers and Japan's Myōkō-class frigates.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864856656197696/
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