The "Liaoning" southward exercise track is fully exposed, and the Japanese Ministry of Defense announces the movement of the aircraft fleet

The Chinese Navy's "Liaoning" aircraft carrier fleet went to relevant waters in the Western Pacific to conduct training on the 14th. (AFP)

The Chinese Navy's "Liaoning" aircraft carrier formation went to relevant waters in the Western Pacific for training on the 14th. This is the second time this year that the Liaoning has gone to the Western Pacific for training. The Japanese Defense Ministry's Staff, Integration and Supervision Department announced the movements of the "Liaoning" formation on the 14th, and stated that it witnessed the "Liaoning" carrying out carrier-based aircraft take-off and landing operations, and the Air Self-Defense Force also dispatched fighter jets to scramble to respond.

The Ministry of Defense Staff, Integration and Supervision Department pointed out that at about 11 a.m. on the 13th, the Maritime Self-Defense Force discovered the "Liaoning" aircraft fleet in the waters about 390 kilometers southwest of the Nannan Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture. In addition to the "Liaoning", it was also accompanied by the Type 055 destroyers "Anshan" and "Wuxi" and the Type 052D destroyer "Huainan".

The formation passed through the waters between Okinawa main island and Miyako Island on the 14th, and continued sailing southeast toward the Pacific Ocean. On the same day, the Maritime Self-Defense Force discovered that the "Liaoning" was conducting carrier-based aircraft takeoff and landing operations in the waters 250 kilometers south of Ishigaki Island.

The Ministry of Defense's Integrated Staff Supervision Department stated that the Self-Defense Force dispatched P-1 maritime patrol aircraft and P-3C maritime patrol aircraft to conduct surveillance and collect intelligence. In response to the take-off and landing operations of the "Liaoning" carrier-based aircraft, the Self-Defense Force dispatched fighter jets to respond.

The Integrated Staff and Supervision Department of the Ministry of Defense announced the track of the Liaoning fleet. (Picture taken from the Integrated Staff Supervision Department of the Ministry of Defense)