In a rare projection of maritime power, China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier has conducted drills deep in the Pacific Ocean near Japan’s Minamitori Island, marking a strategic shift in Beijing’s naval reach.

Japan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed on Saturday that the Liaoning, accompanied by three other Chinese warships, was spotted roughly 300 kilometers southwest of Minamitori Island—an uninhabited Japanese territory located over 1,800 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. The carrier was within Japan’s exclusive economic zone, prompting close monitoring by Japanese forces.

On Sunday, Japan reported visible takeoffs and landings of both fighter jets and helicopters from the carrier’s deck, signaling full-scale combat readiness exercises.

Strategic Move Past the Second Island Chain

This operation marks the first known deployment of a Chinese aircraft carrier east of the so-called “second island chain,” a geostrategic line stretching from Japan to Guam. Analysts suggest such positioning could offer the Chinese navy a counterbalance to potential U.S. deployments from Hawaii in a Pacific conflict, including scenarios involving Taiwan.

China’s ability to operate beyond this chain represents a significant enhancement in blue-water capabilities and signals its intent to challenge existing regional security norms.

Beijing Defends Its Naval Presence

China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian defended the deployment, stating, “The naval vessels’ activities in relevant waters are fully consistent with international law and international practices.” He urged Tokyo to view the maneuvers “objectively and rationally.”

No official response has yet been issued by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Liaoning’s Expanding Role in Power Projection

The Liaoning, China’s first and oldest carrier—rebuilt from a Soviet-era hull—has recently conducted wide-ranging voyages across the western Pacific. Reports suggest a deliberate effort to normalize operations in deeper ocean areas, potentially laying groundwork for future carrier strike group missions.

Military analyst Wang Yunfei told the Global Times that such movements reflect routine training and forecast more frequent long-range missions by Chinese carriers in the coming years.