[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Tensions are rising between China and Japan as it has been reported that China conducted training exercises in the Pacific Ocean area, passing through the Osumi Strait in southern Kyushu, Japan. The Chinese government dismissed it as a routine training exercise, but state-run media reported that it contained a warning message to Japan.
According to local media including the Chinese state-run Global Times on the 3rd, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force announced that on the 31st of last month, it detected Chinese warships passing through the Osumi Strait, the southernmost part of Kyushu Island, Japan, heading out into the Pacific Ocean. The Chinese fleet consisted of the Type 052D missile destroyer Taiyuan, the Type 054A missile frigate Xiangtan, and the Type 903A comprehensive supply ship Chaohu.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force deployed the helicopter-carrying escort ship Ise and P-1 patrol aircraft to collect information on the Chinese warships and conduct surveillance and monitoring. The Global Times cited an anonymous military expert who said that since the beginning of this year, Chinese warships have passed through at least three Japanese coastal straits multiple times for training purposes, including the Osumi Strait, Tsushima Strait, and Miyako Strait.
The expert stated, "These operations are normal and demonstrate improved operational capabilities in distant waters," adding, "It is not only aimed at building a blue-water navy but also serves as a warning to Japan, which has recently been hostile toward China." He further explained, "All the waters through which the Chinese military passed are international waters, and they did not violate Japan's territorial waters or airspace."
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