Pacific on the brink of conflict? China accuses Japan of simulating attacks

According to China's state broadcaster CCTV, Japanese warships and aircraft carried out simulated attacks on the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning strike group during its 40-day deployment in the South China Sea and the western Pacific. CCTV described the alleged actions as "outrageously provocative."

Military commentator Teng Dianqun, quoted by the Chinese newspaper Global Times, claimed that Japanese forces conducted simulated attacks against the Chinese formation, taking close surveillance to "a new level." Beijing argues that the operations reflected a far more aggressive approach by Japan's naval and air forces than during previous deployments. Japan has rejected the allegations.

Japan's Joint Staff Office dismissed the Chinese claims as "groundless," stating that its forces conducted only professional surveillance operations, without interference and in full compliance with established safety procedures, according to Defense News.

The Liaoning carrier strike group consisted of five vessels: the aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning, the cruiser CNS Wuxi, the destroyer CNS Kaifeng, the frigate CNS Luohe, and the replenishment ship CNS Hulunhu. According to USNI News, the task force followed a standard multi-ship Chinese Navy formation during its 40-day deployment across the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea.

China's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the deployment included integrated naval-air exercises featuring carrier-based flight operations, search-and-rescue drills, and combat training involving the entire strike group.

Dispute over the "simulated attacks"

The central point of contention is China's claim that Japanese forces carried out "simulated attacks" while closely monitoring the carrier group. Tokyo, however, maintains that its activities were routine surveillance missions and insists that no offensive exercises were conducted.

Tensions in the western Pacific have remained high for some time. During previous Liaoning deployments, Japan accused Chinese fighter jets of locking their radar onto Japanese aircraft monitoring the carrier group, describing the incidents as dangerous and unprofessional.

At the same time, large-scale military exercises involving the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada were taking place in the region, resulting in exceptionally heavy naval and air traffic throughout the western Pacific.