China calls for calm after aircraft carrier Liaoning passes near Japan

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Japan to adopt a rational and objective approach in response to the recent movements of the aircraft carrier Liaoning and accompanying warships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) near Japanese territory, amid growing regional attention to Chinese naval operations.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the Liaoning‘s transit through the Miyako Strait and its operations in the Western Pacific are in accordance with international law and maritime norms. “We hope Japan views this objectively and reasonably,” Mao said, referring technical questions about the mission to the relevant Chinese authorities.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense reported that it had observed the Liaoning accompanied by two Type 052D destroyers and two Type 054A frigates approximately 200 kilometers north of the disputed islet of Huangwei Yu on Sunday. These vessels, part of a larger PLA Navy formation, were seen conducting aerial operations with fighter jets and helicopters.

Additional reports issued Tuesday night confirmed the continuation of the task force’s maneuvers, including approximately 90 fighter takeoffs and landings and 30 helicopter operations between Sunday and Monday. The flotilla then proceeded through the strait between Okinawa and the Miyako Islands, with a large Type 055 destroyer joining the formation.

China regularly conducts high-seas naval drills with its aircraft carriers, frequently using the Miyako Strait as a transit route in line with international protocols. Although the precise objective of this latest mission has not been publicly disclosed, PLA Daily reported that the Liaoning recently carried out damage control drills.

Chinese military analyst Wang Yunfei told the Global Times that such operations are part of a typical aircraft carrier service cycle, which usually involves one-third of the time in maintenance, one-third in training, and the remainder in combat readiness — including war simulations.

Wang noted that as China expands its aircraft carrier fleet, exercises like this are expected to become more frequent.

The growing presence of the Chinese Navy in strategic maritime zones comes amid heightened regional tensions involving Taiwan and broader geopolitical disputes across the Indo-Pacific. Nevertheless, Beijing maintains that its naval activities are defensive in nature and adhere to international maritime standards.