China's defense ministry said on June 9 the aircraft carrier Liaoning is conducting planned training in West Pacific waters to improve carrier battle group combat capability and is not directed at any specific country. Spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said Japan has repeatedly shadowed the formation and publicly disclosed vessel counts, operating areas and carrier sortie numbers; Chinese ships handled the monitoring in accordance with law and regulations. He accused Japan of sensationalizing China's law

China's defense ministry said on June 9 the aircraft carrier Liaoning is conducting planned training in West Pacific waters to improve carrier battle group combat capability and is not directed at any specific country. Spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said Japan has repeatedly shadowed the formation and publicly disclosed vessel counts, operating areas and carrier sortie numbers; Chinese ships handled the monitoring in accordance with law and regulations. He accused Japan of sensationalizing China's lawful actions to stoke tension and said such efforts will not succeed.