Undated file photo shows the Chinese navy's Liaoning (L) aircraft-carrier receiving supplies during open-sea combat training. Photo:Xinhua

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Monday stressed that the aircraft carrier Liaoning's activities are fully consistent with international law and international practices, following the Japanese Defense Ministry's release of the Chinese carrier's recent locations which media claimed marked the first time the Liaoning has sailed beyond the second island chain.

At the regular press conference of the Chinese Foreign Ministry hosted by spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday, a reporter from a Japanese media raised a question for China's response about the Japanese government confirming the activities of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning in the Pacific waters near Japan. 

In response, Lin said that the China's military vessels' activities in relevant waters are fully consistent with international law and international practices. "China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. We hope Japan will view those activities objectively and rationally."

Citing Japan's Defense Ministry, NHK reported on Monday that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed on Saturday that the aircraft carrier Liaoning and other Chinese naval vessels were sailing in waters about 300 kilometers southwest of Minamitorishima Island in the Pacific, sitting at Japan's easternmost point. They also said takeoff and landing exercises of carrier-borne fighter jets and helicopters were confirmed on Sunday on the high seas.

This marks the first time the Japanese Defense Ministry has reported that the aircraft carrier Liaoning crossed the second island chain, which encompasses the Ogasawara Islands and Guam, according to Nikkei, another Japanese media outlet.

A total of eight Chinese vessels operated in waters between Minamitorishima Island and Iwo Jima on Sunday, with the Liaoning hosting takeoff and landing sorties of fighter jets and helicopters, Nikkei reported.

Prior to this latest development, the Japanese side had reported activities of the Liaoning in the East China Sea and the West Pacific from May 25 to 30.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Monday that it is normal for a Chinese aircraft carrier to operate in distant waters to boost training level. If the Japanese release is accurate, holding drills beyond the second island chain shows that the aircraft carrier Liaoning's training level has reached a new height.

PLA Navy's Liaoning and Shandong carriers have already routinely operated beyond the first island chain and become familiar with waters between the first and second island chains, so going beyond the second island chain should be viewed as a rapid yet steady progression, Fu said, noting that the move shows the PLA Navy's determination and capabilities to go further into the deep blue.