China urged to fast-track carrier fleet upgrades as Japan boosts strike power

Military experts are urging China to expedite upgrades to its aircraft carrier fleets and bolster combat readiness to counter Japan's expanding defense capabilities. This call comes as Tokyo strengthens its military posture, deploying long-range anti-ship missiles and increasing troop presence on islands near Taiwan, a move that has put Beijing on high alert.

A recent simulated attack further underscored the potential threat. In December, amid escalating tensions following remarks by the Japanese prime minister on Taiwan, the PLA Navy's Liaoning aircraft carrier strike group sailed through waters east of Japan. In response, Japan scrambled a dozen F-2 fighter jets armed with 64 ASM-2 anti-ship missiles. This large-scale deployment was widely seen as a saturation-attack drill, with the Liaoning fleet as the simulated target.

Fu Qianshao, a military expert and former PLA Navy officer, emphasized the strategic significance of these exercises, highlighting the need for China to enhance its naval power in the face of regional military developments.

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China should speed up aircraft carrier group upgrades and boost their combat capabilities to counter Japan’s growing defence strength amid mounting tensions.