Two Chinese aircrafts seen in Pacific for the first time, Japan says | Military news


Tokyo says he has transmitted an “appropriate message” to vessel movements.

Two Chinese aircraft have been seen operating in the Pacific at the same time for the first time, said the Ministry of Defense of Japan.

Shandong and four other ships from China sailed Monday within the exclusive economic zone of Japan (EEE), the Ministry of Defense said Tuesday.

The aircraft carrier carried out landing and take -off exercises that involve their combat aircraft and helicopters in waters north of the Pacific atol of Okinotori, said the ministry.

Tokyo's announcement occurred one day after Japanese officials said the link, the oldest of China's two operational carriers, had entered waters near the remote island of Minamitorishima.

The chief secretary of the Japanese Cabinet, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said that Tokyo would intensify surveillance and have transmitted “an appropriate message” to China, without elaborating.

On Monday, Hayashi, who is Tokyo's main spokesman, said that China's growing maritime activity seemed to be aimed at strengthening his ability to carry out missions farther from his coasts.

The spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, defended the movements of the aircraft on Monday, describing them as “totally consistent with international law and international practices.”

“Our National Defense Policy is a defensive nature. We hope that Japan will see those activities in an objective and rational way,” Lin told a regular press conference.

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