TOKYO - Two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said on June 10.

Japan’s Defence Ministry has confirmed the Liaoning and Shandong operating in separate locations in the Pacific on June 7, both near remote southern islands belonging to Japan.

Mr Iwaya said the ministry had communicated with Beijing through China’s embassy in Japan and that it would take further “appropriate steps” as needed. He stopped short of condemning China for the operations.

Japan had said on June 9 that Liaoning sailed in the sea within Japan’s exclusive economic zone near Minamitorishima, a remote island east of Iwo Jima. REUTERS

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