Japan says Chinese and Russian warships held live-fire drills within its EEZ

Japan's Ministry of Defense announced that Chinese and Russian navy ships conducted joint live-fire drills within Japan's claimed exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday. This joint exercise underscores the deepening military cooperation between the two nations.

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi first disclosed the drills during an address at the Farnborough International Airshow in Britain on Monday. Subsequently, Japan's defense ministry confirmed the presence of two Chinese missile destroyers and a supply ship, along with a Russian frigate. These vessels were detected sailing northeastward approximately 330 kilometers (205 miles) southwest of Okinotori Island.

The ministry further specified that one of the Chinese destroyers carried out an exercise within Japan's claimed EEZ, about 180 kilometers southwest of the island, while the Russian frigate was in the vicinity. The crew of the Chinese warship reportedly notified surrounding vessels about the location and duration of the drill.

Okinotori is a coral atoll situated in the Philippine Sea, roughly 1,740 kilometers south of Tokyo. Under international law, its status as an EEZ claimant is questionable, as at high tide, it consists of only two small rocks above water, which may be insufficient to claim surrounding waters.

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Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the two navies had held drills within Japan’s EEZ.