Chinese Carrier Liaoning Incursion Sparks Japan's Objections

A Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, entered Japan's contiguous waters for the first time, sailing between the southern Japanese islands of Yonaguni and Iriomote. This maneuver has heightened tensions between China and Japan, leading Tokyo to express 'serious concerns' to Beijing, labeling the incident as 'utterly unacceptable' for regional security. Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshi Moriya emphasized the need for vigilance and monitoring of Chinese naval activities. The passage follows a series of recent Chinese military actions, including airspace breaches and naval incursions, prompting Japan to bolster its defense capabilities. China has defended its actions as compliant with international maritime law. Regional concerns extend to Taiwan, which also monitored the carrier group's movements.