Japan’s military has confirmed that a Chinese navy destroyer carried out live-fire exercises in waters southwest of the remote Okinotori Island, operating in coordination with Russian naval ships during the incident.
Japan’s Joint Staff reported that its Maritime Self-Defense Force detected four warships — a Chinese Renhai-class guided-missile destroyer, a Luyang III-class guided-missile destroyer, a Fuchi-class replenishment vessel, and a Russian Steregushchiy-class frigate — moving northeast approximately 330 kilometers, or about 205 miles, southwest of Okinotori Island. The vessels were spotted at roughly 2 a.m. on July 19, which corresponds to 5 p.m. GMT on July 18.
Following that initial sighting, Japan’s military confirmed that the Chinese Luyang III-class destroyer conducted a live-fire exercise at a location about 180 kilometers southwest of the island.
A spokesperson for Japan’s Joint Staff said this was the first time Japan had publicly disclosed China conducting live-fire drills within its exclusive economic zone. The spokesperson noted, however, that the activity did not violate international rules.
According to Japan’s military statement, those same vessels had previously traveled southward through the waters between Okinawa’s main island and Miyako Island on July 16.
Japan’s Defense Ministry stated that one of its own destroyers tracked the ships and collected intelligence on what they were doing.
China does not recognize Japan’s claim that the waters near Okinotori fall within its exclusive economic zone, with Beijing contending that Okinotori is a reef rather than a legitimate island.
In recent years, China and Russia have increasingly conducted joint naval and air operations near Japan, prompting Tokyo to ramp up surveillance efforts and bolster its defenses along its southwestern island chain due to growing concerns about stability in the region.
