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Chinese Destroyer Conducts Live-Fire Drills in Waters Japan Claims as Exclusive Economic Zone
A Luyang III-class destroyer fired during joint exercises with two other Chinese warships and a Russian frigate on July 19 southwest of Okinotori Island. Japan conveyed safety concerns to China after detecting the activity.
Jul 20, 10:38 PM·1m read3 sources
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A fleet of four warships sailed southward between Okinawa and Miyako islands before officials detected them operating together on July 19 some 180 kilometers southwest of Okinotori Island inside Japan’s claimed exclusive economic zone. The Luyang III-class destroyer conducted live-fire exercises during joint drills with two other Chinese warships and a Russian frigate.
Ships in the area received a notice from the Chinese warships just before the exercises began.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters on July 21 that Japan conveyed concerns the drills posed a potential safety threat to nearby vessels. “We will continue to watch China-Russia operations around Japan with concern, while doing utmost for the warning and surveillance of the Japanese airspace and territorial waters,” Kihara said.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on July 20 that the action underscored deepening military cooperation between China and Russia.
Koizumi also noted China’s ballistic missile launch from a submarine earlier this month and at least 10 joint flights by Chinese and Russian bombers around Japan. Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said China-Russia military cooperation safeguards both nations’ sovereignty and security while upholding international and regional peace and stability.
“We hope that relevant parties can view China-Russia military cooperation objectively and rationally, and stop making groundless speculation and cease smearing and hyping,” Jiang said.
Sunday’s drills marked the first time Japan’s Joint Staff disclosed detection of Chinese live-fire exercises inside its exclusive economic zone. The live-fire action did not violate international law. China disputes Japan’s claim of an exclusive economic zone around Okinotori, describing the feature as an atoll.
Japan has tracked increased Chinese and Russian naval activity in the region, including two Chinese aircraft carriers operating near Iwo Jima simultaneously for the first time last year.
