Chinese warship the Liaoning sails through Miyako Strait on way to Pacific Ocean for drills
- Fuel supply ship and other naval vessels seen accompanying the aircraft carrier
- Analysts expect navy to carry out exercises ‘to improve its fighting power and operations in areas it is not familiar with’
Chinese aircraft carrier the Liaoning passed through the Miyako Strait in the East China Sea on Tuesday on its way to the Pacific Ocean, where the navy is expected to carry out training.
Japanese defence officials said the warship passed between Okinawa’s main island and Miyako Island as it made its way from the East China Sea to the Pacific, without entering Japanese waters, national broadcaster NHK reported.
A number of other Chinese naval vessels, including a fuel supply ship, were seen accompanying the aircraft carrier. Japanese officials said the Liaoning may be about to hold drills and they were keeping an eye on the mission, according to the report.
Beijing said it was a routine training mission and had been conducted in accordance with international law, calling on other nations to respect its right of passage.
The last time the Liaoning was confirmed to have taken this route was in December 2016. At the time, Japan said the fleet included eight vessels and Japanese military aircraft were deployed to monitor the situation.