TOKYO, Dec 8 – A Chinese aircraft carrier group was seen conducting extensive air operations on Sunday as it entered the Pacific Ocean, just east of the Okinawa Islands, according to Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF).

These naval exercises have raised tensions between Japan and China. On Sunday, Tokyo accused Beijing of dangerous actions, highlighting that jets from the Liaoning aircraft carrier directed radar beams at Japanese fighter planes that were sent to monitor its movements.

Targeting an aircraft with a radar beam can be interpreted as a potential attack, prompting the targeted planes to take evasive maneuvers.

Over the weekend, the carrier's aircraft executed approximately 100 takeoffs and landings, as noted by Japan’s SDF.

In response to these developments, Japan called in China's ambassador, Wu Jianghao, to express its concerns regarding the "dangerous" and "regrettable" actions of the carrier's aircraft.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated during a press briefing that Japan will "respond calmly but firmly" and will continue to monitor Chinese military activities near its waters.

The Chinese embassy, however, refuted Japan's accusations, claiming that Japanese aircraft were the ones putting flight safety at risk by getting too close to the carrier and its three missile-destroyer escorts during training.

“China solemnly demands that Japan cease its criticism and misrepresentation, strictly control its actions, and prevent similar incidents from recurring,” the embassy stated.

Kihara dismissed the assertion that Japanese planes endangered safety around the carrier.

These encounters represent some of the most serious confrontations between the two militaries in years, potentially further straining relations, which have already been tense. Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has warned that Tokyo could respond to any Chinese threats towards Taiwan that jeopardize Japan’s security.