Chinese Carrier Group Sails Through Japanese Contiguous Waters

Japan's Ministry of Defense reported on Wednesday that a Chinese aircraft carrier entered its contiguous waters for the first time. The move marks the latest in a series of military maneuvers that have exacerbated tensions between the two regional powers..DetailsThe Liaoning, a Type 001 class aircraft carrier, sailed through the waters between Japan’s Yonaguni and Iriomote islands accompanied by two Type 052D (Luyang III class) destroyers. Yonaguni is Japan's westernmost island.The transit also sailed near the disputed Senkakuk islands, according to the Japanese defense ministry. This set of islands is a potential flashpoint between the two regional powers, as China claims these as the Diaoyus islands.Taiwan's Ministry of Defense first reported the movements of the Liaoning's carrier group early Wednesday off it's eastern coast. The Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force monitored the Chinese ships with P-3C Orion aircraft, according to their press release.A second group of ships, including a Type 055 missile destroyer (Renhai class cruiser), another Type 052D, and a Type 901 replenishment ship, was spotted in the area—likely part of the same carrier group..The Chinese Response: Is this an escalation?Chinese officials insist the traversal was legal and done in a legitimate and internationally recognized crossing point.Lin Jian, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed that the move was done in observation of Chinese domestic law and international regulations. An official statement from China has not been released as of publishing.Contiguous waters extend up to 24 nautical miles from a country’s coast, where the nation can enforce laws related to customs, immigration, and pollution. Territorial waters, closer to shore, span up to 12 nautical miles, where a country has full sovereignty, similar to its land territory.In territorial waters, foreign vessels can pass through under "innocent passage," meaning they must not threaten security or violate laws. The definition from Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Law states: Passage is innocent so long as it is not prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of the coastal state." However, in contiguous waters, foreign ships can freely navigate, but the coastal state may enforce laws related to customs, immigration, and security.This means China's passage is both legitimate and normal, legally speaking. Nonetheless, many experts note the nonchalant display of force closer to Japan than ever before as a significant escalation.China's Growing Carrier CapabilitiesThe Liaoning was originally built as a Soviet Kuznetsov-class carrier but was sold bare-bones to China in 1998. Originally, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) used it as a training ship to familiarize pilots and crew with carrier operations. However, in 2018, it was announced that it would become active in a combat role.Since then, China has produced two more highly modern carriers, one of which was completely Chinese-made. The Type 002 and Type 003 are dramatic improvements over the Liaoning, with a planned Type 004 reportedly under construction as China's first nuclear power carrier. While China's carrier capabilities are still far behind those of the United States, it's ability to force projects has far surpassed that of Russia and is rapidly catching up to the US Navy. Still, most experts speculate China will only have about six carriers by 2030, while the US operates 11 nuclear-powered carriers and 10 light carriers (LHD/LHA).The Liaoning has been tracked several times close to Japanese waters, with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force observing it on several occasions and noting China's increasing confidence with carrier-based air operations.Japan and Taiwan's Growing ConcernJapan has voiced increasing concern over China’s growing military presence in the region, particularly near Taiwan and the Japanese archipelago. In August, Japan formally protested a Chinese naval survey vessel entering its territorial waters. Japan also upped the ante in July when a Japanese navy destroyer entered China’s territorial waters near Taiwan—an unusual move that was widely covered in the Japanese media. There have also been several Chinese airspace violations over Japanese territory.Tokyo's concern stems from an increase in Chinese military activity in the area, especially around Taiwan and the Philippines. This activity has spurred Japan to bolster its own military in recent years, a buildup that the government says is aimed at deterring any potential aggression from Beijing—even circumventing the Japanese constitution at times. Japan is particularly concerned that China may resort to military force to assert its territorial claims in the region.The Chinese have been conducting regular military drills around Taiwan, which it claims as part of its territory. These drills are seen as an effort to pressure Taiwan into accepting Chinese sovereignty, though Taiwan enjoys support from the United States and it's allies in it's bid for independence and international recognition.