Chinese Carrier Liaoning’s Bold Pacific Push Signals Rising Tensions with Japan

China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning made a historic incursion into Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Minamitorishima over the weekend, marking the first time a Chinese carrier has ventured so far east into the Pacific.

This provocative move, which saw the Liaoning cross the strategic “second island chain,” underscores Beijing’s growing naval ambitions and has heightened maritime tensions with Japan.

Accompanied by two missile destroyers and a combat support ship, the carrier conducted fighter jet and helicopter operations, prompting Japan to deploy naval assets to monitor the situation.

Analysts view this deployment as a bold signal to both Japan and the United States, highlighting China’s expanding blue-water capabilities.

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Historic Crossing Near Japan’s Easternmost Territory

On Saturday, the Liaoning, China’s first commissioned aircraft carrier, was spotted approximately 300 kilometers southwest of Minamitorishima, a remote coral atoll that marks Japan’s easternmost territory.

Japan’s Joint Staff confirmed that the carrier, escorted by two Type 052D destroyers and a Type 901 supply ship, conducted around 260 takeoffs and landings of J-15 fighter jets and helicopters on Sunday.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force responded by deploying the destroyer JS Haguro to shadow the Chinese flotilla. This marks the first confirmed instance of the Liaoning operating east of Iwo Jima, a major accomplishment in China’s naval reach.

Strategic Implications of Breaching the Second Island Chain

The Liaoning’s crossing of the second island chain, a defensive line stretching from Japan’s Ogasawara Islands to Guam, carries profound strategic implications. China views this chain as a protective barrier against U.S. military advances in potential conflicts.

A Japanese defense ministry spokesperson noted that the maneuvers reflect China’s efforts to enhance its operational capabilities in distant waters.

The deployment follows a pattern of increasing Chinese naval activity, with the Liaoning previously transiting the Miyako Strait in May 2025 and conducting exercises near Taiwan in October 2024.

The carrier’s ability to sustain high-tempo flight operations, with 260 sorties in five days, signals a maturing carrier air wing.

Did you know?
China’s Liaoning, originally the Soviet Varyag, was purchased from Ukraine in 1998 under the pretense of becoming a floating casino before being transformed into a combat-ready aircraft carrier.

Escalating Tensions in the East China Sea

The Liaoning’s incursion comes amid heightened friction between Tokyo and Beijing. In 2024, Chinese vessels entered Japan’s contiguous zone around the disputed Senkaku Islands on a record 353 days, with four Coast Guard cutters intruding into territorial waters in May. Japan’s Foreign Ministry has expressed serious concerns over these repeated incursions.

On Monday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated that Tokyo had conveyed an “appropriate message” to Beijing, though he stopped short of confirming a formal protest. The Liaoning’s activities near Minamitorishima, coupled with its earlier passage between Okinawa and Miyako Island, underscore China’s assertive maritime strategy.

China’s Naval Ambitions and Regional Response

China’s navy, the world’s largest hull count with over 370 vessels, is rapidly expanding its global reach. The Liaoning, a refurbished Soviet-era carrier commissioned in 2012, is joined by the Shandong and the under-trial Fujian, with plans for up to six carriers by 2035.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, among other Chinese officials, has characterized these deployments as routine training that aligns with international law.

However, Japan and its allies, including the U.S., view these moves as challenges to regional stability. The U.S. Navy has maintained a presence with carriers like USS Nimitz and USS George Washington operating in the South China Sea and near Japan, respectively, signaling a counterbalance to China’s growing influence.