China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group carried out intense air operations near Japan over the weekend, escalating tensions between the two Asian neighbours as diplomatic exchanges grew increasingly sharp. The activity, which included nearly 100 aircraft take-offs and landings, further strained already fraught relations between Tokyo and Beijing.

Rising Tensions Over Taiwan and Security

The encounters took place in waters near Japan’s southwest island chain as ties soured over Taiwan and regional security. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently warned that Tokyo could respond to any Chinese military action against Taiwan that also endangered Japan’s security. Her comments drew a swift rebuke from Beijing, which views Taiwan as its own territory and has intensified both mi

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