China has denied claims made by Japan that its Liaoning aircraft carrier and accompanying vessels entered Japanese territorial waters during a routine training mission in the western Pacific. This incident further exacerbates the ongoing maritime dispute between the two nations.
China reportedly allocated $15 billion, about 7% of its defense budget, for military exercises in the Western Pacific in 2023, according to a Taiwanese estimate. This substantial investment reflects Beijing’s growing military presence near Taiwan and its territorial disputes in the region, prompting concerns about regional stability.
