China’s navy conducted training flights in the Pacific Ocean on Dec 6 from its aircraft carrier Liaoning after the ship passed through waters off Japan’s southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, prompting the Self-Defense Forces to scramble some aircraft, Japan’s Defence Ministry said.

The latest take-off and landing drills involving Chinese fighters and helicopters marked the first to be confirmed in waters around Japan since China commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, in November.

They come amid heightened diplomatic tensions between the Asian neighbours.

China is thought to be

testing and boosting its operational capability in waters

The Japanese Defence Ministry spotted the Liaoning sailing in the East China Sea on Dec 5, around 420km north of Kuba Island, an islet controlled by Japan but claimed by China.

Joined by three Chinese destroyers, the aircraft carrier then headed towards the Pacific Ocean and conducted the training flights in waters some 270km west of Okidaito Island, the ministry said. KYODO NEWS