By Cheng Chung-lan | 2025-06-26

For the first time, two Chinese navy aircraft carriers have carried out joint operations in the Western Pacific, a move that is a show of force and a test of regional responses to China's growing capabilities, say experts.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said at a June 20 press briefing that between late May and June 19, the Liaoning and Shandong carrier groups conducted approximately 1,000 takeoff and landing drills with carrier-based aircraft in the Pacific.

The Shandong alone conducted over 100 drills across several days near Okinotori Island, inside Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

"China aims to improve the operational capabilities of both carriers and strengthen their ability to operate in distant waters and airspace," Nakatani said.

Notably, the Liaoning crossed the Second Island Chain into waters near Japan.

On June 7, the Liaoning appeared near Minamitorishima and later reached waters east of Iwo Jima, a strategically key base of the Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF).

This achievement marked the first time a Chinese carrier had crossed the Second Island Chain, according to Japan's Defense Ministry. The chain stretches from Japan through Guam to Papua New Guinea.

Amid the drills, Chinese aircraft have posed direct risks to the JSDF.

A J-15 fighter jet launched from the Shandong in the Pacific tracked a Japanese P-3C patrol aircraft conducting surveillance on both June 7 and 8, according to Japan's Defense Ministry.

On both days, the J-15 flew parallel to the patrol aircraft, coming as close as 45 meters. On June 8, the same fighter also crossed in front of the Japanese aircraft at a distance of about 900 meters.

Japanese Chief of Staff Gen. Keishu Yoshida emphasized that these were not operational errors but "deliberate" actions.

"If we relax our vigilance and monitoring, it will only encourage further such behavior. We are determined to maintain both the awareness and the capability to deter these actions," he said.

Expanding reach

The presence of both carriers in the Pacific highlights China's expanding ability to project power far from its coasts and coordinate operations across multiple locations.

Bonji Ohara, senior fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, told the Nikkei on June 12 that China's dual-carrier deployment is aimed at the United States.

"The US and China are moving toward a real negotiation, including on tariffs, and both sides are displaying their military and economic strength," he said.

On the close encounters with Japanese aircraft, he added, "China has entered a new phase, observing Japan's response. Japan must also demonstrate its determination and capability to defend its territory."

Commenting on Beijing's broader strategic goals, Zhang Jun-she, a professor at China's National Defense University, told China's Global Times on June 10 that a dual-carrier formation is designed to respond to small- and medium-scale maritime conflicts and to handle emergencies or long-range missions.

"The formation of dual carrier combat capability helps strengthen the resolve and ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

Japan, in addition to issuing diplomatic protests, is stepping up its surveillance capabilities.

Nakatani said Tokyo is accelerating the deployment of mobile radar systems and other facilities on Pacific islands in response to China's military expansion.

"We will continue to disclose surveillance information in a timely and appropriate manner to demonstrate that Japan has the capability to prevent any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force or similar means," he said.

As tensions rise, a June 16 editorial in the Mainichi Shimbun warned in response to the drills, "Once military tensions rise, public sentiment will inevitably further deteriorate."

The editorial urged Japan not to rely solely on its Self-Defense Forces but to expand intelligence sharing and build multilateral frameworks with the United States, Australia and other partners to respond to China's increasingly routine threats.