Japan sounds alarm over China’s expanding Pacific footprint, vows defence boost
Last Updated on August 4, 2026 7:04 pm
By Gabriel Dominguez and Dannie Pengin Beijing
Japan’s latest defence white paper warns of China’s growing ability to sustain military operations farther into the western Pacific Ocean, while pledging to bolster its own monitoring systems, strike capabilities and ammunition production.
Released on Tuesday, the 610-page document cautions that Beijing is strengthening its aircraft carrier force as it steadily improves its capacity to operate in more distant seas and airspace.
The white paper frames China’s expanding reach as part of a broader push to insulate its mainland from conflict, protect vital sea lanes and cement its territorial claims.
It adds that if Beijing intends to deter or prevent outside intervention during a Taiwan contingency, it must further extend its maritime and air power projection.
To highlight this shift, Tokyo points to several developments over the past year.
Central to its assessment was the Liaoning aircraft carrier’s deployment east of Iwo Jima in June last year – the first publicly confirmed operation by a Chinese carrier beyond the second island chain – alongside the first simultaneous Pacific deployment of the Liaoning and the Shandong aircraft carrier.
Source :SCMP