A Chinese carrier strike group has been conducting military drills in the western Pacific, simulating attacks on Japan’s Nansei Islands, according to the Yomiuri, citing Chinese government sources.
These drills involving the aircraft carrier Liaoning and Type 055 missile destroyers are reportedly being held in response to the Japanese government’s adoption of three major defense-related documents. Chinese President Xi Jinping instructed the military to start the drills on Dec. 16, when the documents were unveiled.
The Japanese government approved three national security documents that outlined the reasoning behind Japan’s shift away from an exclusively defensive posture and for doubling defense spending. The three documents are : National Security Strategy (NSS), National Defense Strategy (previously called the National Defense Program Guidelines), Defense Capability Enhancement Plan (previously called the Medium-Term Defense Program).
The carrier strike group, which included the Liaoning and other vessels, was confirmed by the Japanese Defense Ministry to have passed between Okinawa and Miyako islands and entered the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 16. The group sailed 260 kilometers west-southwest of Okidaito Island the following day and was seen 450 kilometers east-northeast of Kitadaito Island on Dec. 20. It was possible, from this location, for ship-borne aircraft to reach the Nansei chain in a time frame of 5 to 10 minutes. Approximately 130 takeoffs and landings by ship-borne aircraft and helicopters were reportedly conducted during the drills.
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