China Deploys Liaoning Carrier Near Senkaku Islands Amid South China Sea Tensions

Tensions in the East China Sea have escalated as China's aircraft carrier Liaoning and accompanying naval vessels conducted fighter jet and helicopter operations near the disputed Senkaku Islands, administered by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan. This is the first time Liaoning has operated in this sensitive area, prompting Japan to scramble fighter jets for surveillance, although no airspace violations were reported. The Senkaku Islands, rich in fisheries and energy resources, are protected under the US-Japan Mutual Security Treaty, heightening concerns about regional security and US commitments. Concurrently, in the South China Sea, a Philippine civilian coalition known as Atin Ito sailed to Thitu Island to deliver supplies and hold a concert as a peaceful assertion of Philippine sovereignty against China’s expansive territorial claims. China's assertive maritime activities in both regions underscore increasing geopolitical frictions involving China, Japan, the Philippines, and their allies, raising fears of potential conflict triggers under existing defense treaties. Both Japan and the Philippines have responded with defensive measures and international appeals amid these ongoing disputes.