Wed Sep 18 16:13:00 UTC 2024: ## Chinese Aircraft Carrier Sails Between Japanese Islands, Raising Tensions
**TOKYO** – A Chinese aircraft carrier, accompanied by two destroyers, sailed between two Japanese islands near Taiwan for the first time on Tuesday and Wednesday, further escalating tensions between the two countries. This move, which comes after the first confirmed incursion of a Chinese surveillance aircraft into Japanese airspace last month, has been met with strong disapproval by Tokyo.
Japan’s government described the carrier’s passage through the contiguous zone, an area within 24 nautical miles of Japan’s coast, as “totally unacceptable” and expressed serious concerns to China through diplomatic channels. The Liaoning carrier and its escorts sailed between the islands of Yonaguni and Iriomote, which are close to the disputed Senkaku islands (known as the Diaoyus by China) in the East China Sea.
China claims the passage was legal, but the incident has raised concerns about Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the region. Experts believe the carrier’s movement might be part of a larger military exercise simulating a potential Taiwan contingency, further pushing the boundaries of China’s military presence in the region.
The event is seen as a significant escalation of tensions, with analysts interpreting it as a form of “gunboat diplomacy” aimed at deterring Japan from involvement in any potential conflict regarding Taiwan.
This latest incident follows a string of similar actions by China, including the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels, a naval ship, and a nuclear-powered submarine around the Senkaku islands, as well as the incursion of a Chinese military aircraft into Japanese airspace last August. Japan has responded by increasing its defense spending, acquiring counterstrike capabilities, easing arms export restrictions, and providing funding and equipment to regional allies.
The recent joint naval exercises between Russian and Chinese warships in the Sea of Japan also serve as a reminder of the increasingly complex security environment in the region. The carrier’s passage through Japanese waters further underscores the growing strategic rivalry between China and Japan, and the potential for increased tensions in the coming years.
First Piper 