JAPAN

MSDF spots China's first aircraft carrier sailing into the Pacific

The Maritime Self-Defense Forces spotted the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaonang, accompanied by seven other vessels, in the East China Sea on Saturday. | MINISTRY OF DEFENSE/ VIA KYODO

Staff Report, Reuters

Dec 25, 2016

The Maritime Self-Defense Force on Sunday morning spotted China's only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, cruising into the Western Pacific Ocean for the first time via the waterway between Okinawa and Miyakojima Island, the Defense Ministry said.

The Liaoning, accompanied by three guided missile destroyers and two frigates, was spotted about 110 km northeast of Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture heading southeast at around 10 a.m., the ministry said.

This is the first time the Liaoning has been confirmed as entering the Pacific Ocean, ministry officials said.

MSDF spots China's first aircraft carrier sailing into the Pacific

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