On Sunday, December 7, 2025, a spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army Navy said Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) aircraft repeatedly approached and disrupted Chinese naval operations during routine training, posing serious safety risks.
The PLA Navy’s Liaoning aircraft carrier recently carried out standard flight exercises for its carrier-based fighter jets in waters east of the Miyako Strait, with the relevant sea and airspace zones announced in advance, spokesperson Wang Xuemeng explained.
“During the exercises,” Wang said, “SDF aircraft repeatedly entered the designated areas, creating disturbances that severely affected our training and threatened flight safety. Japan’s hype on the matter is completely inconsistent with the facts.”
Wang added, “We solemnly demand that the Japanese side immediately stop the smear and slander and strictly restrain the actions of its frontline forces.” The spokesperson also stated that the Chinese Navy will take all necessary legal measures to safeguard its security and legitimate rights and interests.
This incident underscores growing tensions in a strategic chokepoint between the East China Sea and the Pacific. The Miyako Strait has long been a key passage for the Chinese mainland to project maritime power, and such encounters highlight the challenges of maintaining regional stability as naval activity intensifies.
As both sides stand firm, analysts say these maritime frictions could shape future protocols for air and sea operations in contested waters—impacting trade routes, international relations, and the broader security landscape in East Asia.
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China says SDF aircraft disrupted naval training, refutes Japan's hype
cgtn.com
