The Philippine Navy has expanded its external defense monitoring as China’s aircraft carrier Liaoning and its escort ships conducted movements near Japan, Taiwan, and waters close to the Philippines, heightening regional tension.
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed over the weekend that it detected the Liaoning sailing near Okinawa, with landing and takeoff drills observed. Chinese J-15 jets reportedly locked their radar onto Japanese aircraft, according to statements attributed to Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi.
Beijing countered through state media that the operations were simply routine flight training in “designated sea and airspace.”
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said on Tuesday, December 9, that the same carrier group, along with a separate amphibious assault task group, passed near Philippine waters, though still outside the country’s exclusive economic zone. The development prompted the navy to widen its maritime domain awareness beyond the West Philippine Sea.
Trinidad stressed the need for clarity in China’s operations.
“What’s important is that the actions, the intent, the objectives of these group sails must be transparent, and the actions of the ships, including their embarked aircraft, must be non-aggressive and abide by international law considering that the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan are all within the first island chain,” he said.
He also warned of the potential impact on Manila should conflict erupt in the north.
“And as mentioned by the commander-in-chief that any action in Taiwan and in Japan will surely impact on the Philippines. The AFP is monitoring developments now on a regional basis,” he added.
The Liaoning battle group transited northeast of Luzon toward Okinawa, while China’s amphibious assault ship passed along the Philippines’ eastern seaboard en route southward.
Both formations were far from Philippine waters—“malayo sa atin yun… downward ang direction towards Palau and Australia… outside of our exclusive economic zone,” Trinidad noted.
The sightings follow intensified Philippine-Japan naval cooperation under their visiting forces agreement, which took effect in September. Trinidad said regional partners have already strengthened defense information sharing.