Tokyo: A Chinese carrier strike group launched intense air operations near Japan over the weekend as the East Asian neighbours traded diplomatic barbs in an escalating dispute, further straining ties.

The encounters in waters close to Japan ’s southwest island chain come after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned last month that Tokyo could respond to any Chinese military action against Taiwan that also threatened Japan ‘s security.

On the weekend, China ‘s Liaoning aircraft carrier conducted about 100 take-offs and landings as it sailed east into the Pacific Ocean past the Okinawa Islands, Japan ‘s Self-Defense Forces said on Monday. Show Full Article

Tokyo summoned China ‘s ambassador, Wu Jianghao, on Sunday to protest behaviour it called dangerous and regrettable

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