Local time on April 1, the Joint Staff of Japan's Ministry of Defense announced that at around 10 a.m. that day, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force reported that the aircraft carrier Shandong of the Chinese Navy (hull number 17), Type 055 guided-missile destroyer Xianyang (hull number 108), Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Zhanjiang (hull number 165), and Type 054A guided-missile frigate Hengshui (hull number 572) were sailing in waters about 440 kilometers south of Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
The position map of the Shandong Carrier Group released by the Joint Staff of the Ministry of Defense of Japan Image has been modified Joint Staff of the Ministry of Defense website
The announcement also stated that the Japanese Self-Defense Forces confirmed that fighter jets loaded on the Shandong aircraft carrier conducted takeoffs and landings.
The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force carried out surveillance and intelligence gathering.
The Joint Staff of the Ministry of Defense of Japan
According to reports by Taiwan's Central News Agency earlier, starting from April 1, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army organized ground, sea, air, and fire forces to conduct joint exercises around the island of Taiwan. The Taiwan defense department stated on the 1st that it had gradually tracked the dynamic information of the Shandong Carrier Group and other vessels since March 29, and they entered the so-called "response zone" yesterday.
The Taiwan defense department said that for the relevant dynamics of the Shandong Carrier Group, the Taiwanese military used joint monitoring methods, deployed task ships and aircraft as well as shore-based missile systems for strict monitoring and tracking, and have activated the "response mechanism" to respond appropriately.
In addition, the Taiwan defense department also released footage of the Shandong aircraft carrier, Yinchuan destroyer, and other ships captured by the Taiwanese warships Su'ao and Tian'chuan on March 31.
It is understood that in June 2024, the Taiwan defense department proposed the so-called "response zone" in response to the actions of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Analysis suggests that the general location of the so-called "response zone" is between 40 nautical miles and 12 nautical miles away from Taiwan Island.
According to the WeChat official account "Eastern Theater Command," Major General Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, stated that starting from April 1, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army organized ground, naval, air, and rocket forces to organize multi-directional approaches to the island of Taiwan. Key exercises included maritime and air combat patrols, seizing comprehensive control rights, striking sea and land targets, and controlling key areas and routes. This aimed to test the joint operational combat capabilities of the theater forces. This was a serious warning and effective deterrence against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and a legitimate and necessary action to defend national sovereignty and maintain national unity.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7488562346802070068/
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