Eight Chinese Navy ships pass close to Japan’s islands in show of strength

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A Chinese aircraft carrier and seven other Navy ships, including several destroyers, passed between islands in Japan’s southern Okinawa chain in a show of strength on Monday, according to a Japanese defence ministry statement.</p>
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The ships sailed between the main Okinawa island and Miyakojima, the statement said.</p>
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Although there was no incursion into Japan's territorial waters, helicopters on board the Liaoning aircraft carrier took off and landed.</p>
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This was the first time that a Chinese aircraft carrier was confirmed to have passed through the area since December last year, according to Japanese national broadcaster NHK.</p>
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Taiwan's Defence Ministry said it would monitor the movements of the carrier group, and described the situation as "normal" as of now.</p>