Liaoning shipboard helicopters approach Diaoyu Islands Japanese warplanes emergency lift off

The formation of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning yesterday passed through the waters between the main island of Okinawa and Miyako Island in Japan and went north to the East China Sea; a helicopter lifted off from the Liaoning in the morning and once approached the Diaoyutai Islands, and the Japanese Self-Defense Force warplanes rose in an emergency response.

The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning’s formation crossed the waters between Okinawa and Miyakojima on the 27th and went north to the East China Sea.

The helicopters on board the Liaoning once flew close to Diaoyutai. According to the Central News Agency today quoted Japan Broadcasting Association (NHK), Kyodo News Agency and other news, Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Unity and Shogunate said that the Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed that the Chinese Navy aircraft carrier Liaoning and a total of six ship formation, 26 to 27 from the Pacific Ocean through the waters between the main island of Okinawa and Miyako Island, Japan, north to the East China Sea. After the Liaoning formation passed through the above-mentioned waters yesterday morning, a helicopter took off from the Liaoning and approached Akao Island, which is one of the Diaoyutai Islands (known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan) over which Japan claims sovereignty, and flew about 50 to 100 kilometers north of Akao Island, resulting in an emergency lift-off by Air Self-Defense Force warplanes.

The Japanese side said the helicopter did not intrude into Japanese airspace, and the six ships did not intrude into Japanese territorial waters.

The Liaoning formation sailed south from the East China Sea from the 3rd to the 4th of this month, also crossing the waters between the main island of Okinawa and Miyako Island, sailing towards the Pacific Ocean and claiming to be training in the waters around Taiwan on the 5th.

The report said Japan’s Defense Ministry will analyze the purpose of this series of activities of the Chinese Communist military and continue to maintain vigilance and surveillance.