Xi Jinping's China sends 8 warships to seas near Japan I Tokyo responds

Led by aircraft carrier Liaoning, 8 Chinese warships passed between southern Japan’s Okinawa island chain. Chinese state media stated 'preparation for missions, including a potential conflict across the Taiwan Straits'. The Japanese Defence Ministry said the Chinese warships sailed between the main Okinawa Island & Miyakojima. No incursion into Japan’s territorial waters, but choppers on board the aircraft carrier took off & landed. In a show of force, warships sailed past islands part of the 'first island chain' in Chinese navy doctrine. In response, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force dispatched 'Izumo', a helicopter carrier. Japan also dispatched P-1 patrol aircraft & P-3C anti-sub aircraft to monitor passage of Chinese vessels.