"Official Photographer" Monitors Liaoning Ship While Claiming Limited Abilities, Defense Ministry Spokesperson Exposes Japanese Tactics

[Global Times - Global Network Report by reporter Guo Yuandan] At the regular press conference held by the Ministry of Defense on October 29, a reporter asked, "During the Liaoning aircraft carrier's training in the western Pacific, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces tracked and monitored it, announcing the number of takeoffs of the carrier-based aircraft. However, defense officials claimed that their monitoring capabilities are limited and that they need to further strengthen their defensive posture." In response, Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang stated that the Liaoning carrier group is conducting training in relevant waters of the western Pacific, which is part of the annual routine training organized by the Chinese military. This aims to test and enhance the carrier group's capabilities for real combat in distant seas and is not targeted at any specific country or objective, in accordance with international law and practices.

Zhang Xiaogang noted that many netizens refer to the Japanese side as the "official photographer" of the Chinese Navy, as they often spy on China's normal exercise activities, sensationalize them, deceive the Japanese public, and mislead international opinion, creating excuses for their military expansion. Those familiar with history know that the tactic of creating public opinion first, then finding excuses, and finally taking action was a trick used by Japanese militarism in its foreign invasions. The international community should remain highly vigilant against such tactics from Japan's right-wing forces and resolutely curb Japan's "new militarism" provocations.