On Tuesday, July 21, the Japanese Ministry of Defense stated that a Chinese naval destroyer had conducted machine gun fire approximately 180 kilometers (111 miles) southwest of Japan’s Okinotorishima Island, marking a rare live-fire exercise by the Chinese Navy in Japan’s exclusive economic zone. Japan has already lodged a protest with China regarding this incident.
According to the statement released by the Japanese Ministry of Defense on Tuesday, around 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, two Chinese destroyers were spotted along with a Russian escort ship and a Chinese supply ship sailing together around 330 kilometers southwest of Okinotorishima Island.
The statement mentioned that later, one of the Chinese destroyers conducted machine gun fire about 180 kilometers southwest of Okinotorishima Island.
The Japanese Self-Defense Forces reported that prior to the live-fire exercise by one of the Chinese destroyers, four vessels including the Chinese Renhai-class (Type 055) guided missile destroyer, Luyang III-class (Type 052D) guided missile destroyer, Fuchi-class (Type 903) supply ship, and the Russian Steregushchiy-class escort ship were heading towards Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
According to reports cited by Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) from the Ministry of Defense, this appears to be the first time foreign naval vessels have conducted live-fire exercises within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, told reporters on Tuesday, “The Japanese government has filed a protest with China through diplomatic channels, citing concerns that such activities could pose a danger to nearby passing ships.”
Kihara added that the crew of the Chinese destroyer had notified nearby ships in advance about the exercise and its duration.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea does not prohibit naval exercises within foreign exclusive economic zones (EEZ), but some countries view such activities with heightened concerns. The EEZ extends 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers) from a nation’s baseline, granting the country exclusive rights to explore and exploit natural resources within that area.
In recent years, Chinese naval activities in the waters surrounding Japan have become increasingly frequent, often involving coordinated actions with Russian warships. Kihara stated, “We see this joint navigation as part of the growing trend of closer military cooperation between the two countries.”
Since last November, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takai made remarks concerning “Taiwan’s situation,” relations between China and Japan have remained tense and confrontational.
Meanwhile, China and Russia have intensified their joint maritime and aerial operations near Japan. In response to regional security concerns, Japan has increased surveillance and bolstered defense capabilities in the southwestern islands.
In December last year, a highly publicized incident took place. Japan claimed that a Chinese fighter jet locked its radar onto a Japanese military aircraft near the Okinawa Islands, but China denied these allegations.