AFP tracking Chinese carrier, amphibious group near PH's eastern seaboard

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Tuesday, Dec. 9, that it has monitored two major Chinese naval formations moving near the eastern seaboard of Luzon facing Okinawa last week as tensions between China and Japan have increased in recent months.

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG

AFP spokesperson for West Philippine Sea (WPS) Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Liaoning carrier group was detected northeast of Luzon, near Okinawa, while a Chinese amphibious assault ship task group was observed days apart along the country's eastern seaboard, moving south toward Palau and Australia.

Trinidad said the carrier group consisted of the Liaoning aircraft carrier, two escort ships, and a replenishment vessel. The amphibious group had a similar composition which included one amphibious assault ship, two escorts, and one replenishment ship.

He said the two formations were not operating together and were separated by about 600 to 800 miles. He also stressed that both formations sailed outside the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) but remained within the AFP's widened maritime awareness coverage.

"What is important is that the actions, the intent, the objectives of this group sails must be transparent and the actions of the ships, to include their embarked aircraft, must be non-aggressive and abide by international law," he said.