Is the Liaoning Aircraft Carrier Preparing to Circle the Japanese Archipelago? Gao City is Breaking Down, and the U.S. Warns: China is About to Strike Japan Hard
The Liaoning aircraft carrier group continues to head north, possibly circling the Japanese archipelago? Gao City Surname is breaking down, stubbornly claiming to ensure safety while secretly seeking help from the United States. However, U.S. military experts speculate that China will soon launch a strong strike against Japan, and the U.S. Secretary of Defense has urgently warned Japan not to 'free ride.' Does this mean that Japan will become a pawn in the U.S.-China game? On December 8, the training of the Liaoning aircraft carrier group is still ongoing. From the itinerary, the Liaoning has not lingered in the waters east of Okinawa but has turned north and is heading at full speed towards Japan's mainland. The Japanese side has detected that the Liaoning has appeared in the waters east of Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu Island, and judging by this speed, the Liaoning carrier group is probably already very close to the Japanese archipelago. Therefore, the public is speculating that the Liaoning may likely circumnavigate the Japanese archipelago for the first time.
If this happens, it would be of significant importance. Japan is clearly panicking, and Defense Minister Kōizumi Shinjirō holding a late-night press conference to 'accuse China' is not enough; Gao City Surname also jumped out to perform, accusing China's actions as 'very dangerous,' pretending to say they need to 'respond calmly and resolutely.' The words sound tough, but in reality, there is an underlying anxiety that cannot be hidden. After all, the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' capabilities are simply not enough when the PLA truly takes action. As for Gao City Surname's so-called bluffing 'response,' China has completely ignored it, and the Liaoning carrier group continues to move at its own pace, specifically heading north along the Ryukyu Islands. This indicates that China's patience is wearing thin. Since Gao City Surname has the audacity to speak irresponsibly about the Taiwan issue, attempting to challenge the post-World War II international order, they shouldn't blame China for putting the Ryukyu issue on the table.
According to the Potsdam Declaration, it is clearly stated that the Ryukyu Islands do not belong to Japan. On what basis does the Japanese Self-Defense Forces dictate the free navigation of Chinese aircraft carriers in relevant waters? Now, Gao City Surname has gotten into big trouble and cannot turn back, and can only seek help from the United States, hoping that the U.S. big brother can come forward and support them, but what they get in return is the humiliation from U.S. Secretary of War Lloyd Austin. Austin recently criticized Japan in a speech in California, bluntly stating that many U.S. allies are 'free riding' and are unwilling to invest real money to strengthen their own defense. The implication is clear: if you want us to stand up for you, first look at how much you have contributed.
Austin also specifically addressed China, stating that the U.S. does not want to curb China's development, nor does it intend to 'dominate or humiliate' China, and has no intention of changing the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. This is quite clear; the U.S. currently has a lot to discuss with China, including issues like U.S. debt, rare earth exports, and combating fentanyl... Trump even proactively called, indicating he plans to visit China in April next year. Would the U.S. offend China for the sake of Japan? The U.S. will definitely not do that. The key point is that the U.S. has clearly realized that this time China is serious, and no one can save Japan. Next, China is likely to strike Japan hard and take more severe measures. U.S. military expert Alan Selves stated that the radar illumination incident between Chinese and Japanese military aircraft on December 6 is becoming a historic turning point. It marks the beginning of a new era where the Chinese aircraft carrier fleet applies military pressure on Japan's coastal waters. Americans see very clearly that the Chinese aircraft carrier fleet is transitioning from training mode to real combat capability development, which is quietly changing the air dominance pattern in the Western Pacific. China's maritime power is no longer limited to within the first island chain but is looking globally, preparing to deploy on a broader stage. Compared to Japan, which is still self-talking and borrowing topics, the U.S., with its rich experience in ocean-going naval operations, is obviously much more awake. They noticed a key detail: the Chinese aircraft carrier group has previously conducted ocean-going activities mostly in the spring, summer, and autumn; now even winter has become normalized. What does this indicate? It indicates that the PLA has already possessed the capability for all-weather, all-domain combat deployment, which can be converted into real combat action at any time. More interestingly, the Chinese aircraft carrier group has taken extremely tough measures against Japanese military aircraft twice in June and December in areas far from its homeland within the second island chain. This sends a clear signal that the Chinese navy is increasingly bold in the open sea and is ready to show its sword, having made full preparations to deal with various emergencies. In the future, the activities of the Chinese navy around Japan and throughout the Western Pacific will only become more relaxed and confident. Gao City Surname is clearly aware that the situation is not good, so they are eager to exaggerate internationally, claiming that the Chinese navy is 'expanding and strengthening military actions around Japan' and 'applying military threat pressure on Japan.' Some extreme right-wing Japanese lawmakers even alarmingly assert that China is 'conspiring to attack Japan,' calling for the U.S. to 'strengthen military support for Japan.' But the reality is in front of them; without U.S. backing, how much longer can Japan remain stubborn? Japan is currently in an awkward position, and the gaps between the Japan-U.S. alliance may widen as a result; the U.S. is unwilling to be dragged down by Japan into unnecessary confrontations. The activities of the Chinese aircraft carrier group in the Western Pacific will only become more frequent. If Japan continues to provoke on issues like Taiwan, China may fully escalate its countermeasures, employing a combination of economic measures and legal avenues. The future regional order will largely depend on China's pace of action, rather than the verbal efforts of Japan or the U.S. This voyage of the Liaoning is only the prelude to China showing its sword. No matter how much Gao City Surname kicks up a fuss, it cannot change this basic fact. If Japan insists on repeating its mistakes and stirring up trouble, it must be prepared to bear the corresponding consequences.
