China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier conducted around 100 take-offs and landings near Japan’s southwest island chain over the weekend, prompting Japan to summon China’s ambassador Wu Jianghao to protest what it called dangerous activity, including radar targeting of Japanese aircraft. However, China denied the claims, accusing Japan of endangering flight safety and demanding that Tokyo stop smearing and slandering.
The incidents follow Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s warning that Tokyo could respond to Chinese military actions threatening its security. Beijing has advised citizens against travelling to Japan and paused seafood imports following Japan’s release of treated Fukushima water.
Tensions reflect broader disputes over Taiwan, located 110 km from Japan’s Okinawa Islands, with China increasing military and political pressure on the island, while the U.S. has voiced support for Japan, but President Trump has remained silent ahead of planned trade talks with Beijing.
