The Japanese Defense Ministry confirmed on September 18 that China's Liaoning aircraft carrier, escorted by two Luyang II-class destroyers, had been moving south through the waters between the islands of Yonaguni and Iriomote (Okinawa Prefecture, Japan) from September 17-18, according to AFP.

This is the first time a Chinese aircraft carrier has been confirmed to have passed through the area, according to a statement from Japan's Ministry of Defense. The ministry said Japanese forces were monitoring the Liaoning and analyzing the purpose of the Chinese aircraft carrier's move.

In response, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense today, September 19, announced that the above ships were participating in exercises in accordance with relevant international laws, without giving the exact location of the fleet.

"There is no need for relevant parties to over-explain on this issue," China's Defense Ministry stressed in a statement.

Earlier, Taiwan's Defense Ministry announced that it had detected the Chinese ships moving through the waters east of the island towards Yonaguni Island, about 110 km east of Taiwan. Taiwan said it had detected them and sent forces to monitor them.

Last month, Tokyo protested after a Chinese spy plane and a survey ship allegedly violated Japanese airspace and territorial waters.

Commenting on each incident, China's Foreign Ministry said the ship was only exercising its legitimate right of passage and asserted that it had no intention of violating the airspace of any country.