The aircraft carrier Liaoning battle group steam on the sea. The aircraft carrier Liaoning (Hull 16), several guided-missile destroyers, frigates and dozens of aircraft attached to the Navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army took part in a combat exercise at an unidentified area east of the Bashi Channel in the western Pacific on Apr. 20. The exercise was a routine arrangement as a part of the PLA Navy's annual training plan. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang Lei)

The Japanese defense ministry on Saturday reportedly claimed spotting the aircraft carrier Liaoning of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy near Japan. A Chinese military affairs expert said that Chinese aircraft carriers’ far seas exercises in the Pacific Ocean have become routine, and the PLA warships’ legitimate activities in the region should not be hyped.

According to a report by Japan’s Kyodo News, the Japanese defense ministry claimed that the PLA Navy’s aircraft carrier Liaoning on Saturday conducted carrier-based aircraft takeoff and landing exercises in the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa.

According to a press release by the Japan Joint Staff on Saturday, the aircraft carrier Liaoning (Hull 16) was accompanied by the Type 055 large destroyer Nanchang (Hull 101) and two Type 052D destroyers with hull numbers 117 and 124.

This is the first time the Japanese side has confirmed Chinese aircraft carrier activities near Japan since China’s entry into a three-carrier era, the Kyodo News report noted.

The Japanese defense ministry’s claim came after a Thursday report by Reuters claiming that China is deploying a large number of naval and coast guard vessels across East Asian waters, at one point more than 100.

In response to a Reuters reporter question about this alleged deployment, and Japanese defense minister’s claim of “China has been expanding and stepping up its military activities in the area surrounding Japan,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press conference on Friday that “I’d refer you to competent authorities for what you mentioned. Let me stress that China is committed to a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. The Chinese navy and China Coast Guard carry out activities in relevant waters in strict accordance with China’s domestic laws and international law.”

There is no need for relevant parties to overreact and overinterpret, still less should they make groundless accusations, Lin said.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Saturday that PLA warships, including aircraft carriers, regularly conduct far seas exercises in the Western Pacific, but Japan frequently hypes such normal activities. This is likely an attempt to hype the "China threat" rhetoric, creating excuses to expand its own military power and breaking away from its pacifist constitution.

PLA warships’ far seas exercises conform to the international law and common practices, and the Japanese side should not hype such legitimate activities, Zhang said.

Why wouldn’t Japan hype US military activities in the region? the expert asked.

Back in June, Japan also claimed spotting the aircraft carrier Liaoning sailing in the Pacific near Japan. In response to a related question, Lin, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said at a regular press conference on June 9 that 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,” the spokesperson said.