China and US expand military drone flights near Japan and the South China Sea

China and America have escalated uncrewed aircraft deployments across sensitive Indo-Pacific waters, with mainland drones patrolling strategic passages near Japan while a US Marine detachment operates near disputed South China Sea islands.

In recent days, Japan has detected an uptick in Chinese military aircraft operations in important waters that enable Beijing’s naval forces to transit beyond the first island chain.

The activity coincided with large-scale joint military exercises between Tokyo and Washington aimed at deterring conflict in the region, including potential contingencies involving Taiwan.