Japan Expresses Concern After Chinese Aircraft Carrier Entered Its Contiguous Waters for First Time

Japan’s defense ministry has criticized China for “unacceptable” conduct after a Chinese aircraft carrier entered Japanese contiguous waters for the first time on Sept. 18.
The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and two destroyers sailed between the southwestern Japanese islands of Yonaguni and Iriomote. According to the United Nations, a contiguous zone is an area that extends 24 nautical miles from a country’s territorial sea. In this zone, the country can exert some controls, such as enforcing laws related to customs and immigration.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshi Moriya said Tokyo had conveyed its “serious concerns” to China via diplomatic channels, describing the incident as “utterly unacceptable from the perspective of the security environment of Japan and the region.”
“We will continue to closely monitor Chinese naval vessels’ activities in the waters around our country and will take all possible measures to gather information and conduct vigilance and surveillance,” Moriya said.
He said the incident marks the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier has entered Japan’s contiguous waters.
The latest arms sale marks the 16th military deal that the Biden administration has authorized, according to Taiwan’s foreign ministry.
“Given China’s frequent use of gray-zone tactics to intimidate and coerce Taiwan and other countries in the region, Taiwan will continue to show its determination to protect the nation.”
The U.S.–Taiwan Business Council also issued a statement welcoming the U.S. arms sale.
“This arms sale supports sustainment of Taiwan’s military through the servicing of parts for aircraft and related systems. It is continuing a consistent trend, spanning almost four years, of the U.S. providing munitions and sustainment in relatively small value tranches.”