<p>Tokyo/Beijing: Two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time, in a move that Japan's defence minister said signified Beijing's intention to further widen its capabilities beyond its borders.</p><p>Since May, China has been flexing its muscles by sending an unusually large number of naval and coast guard vessels through a swathe of East Asian waters, according to security documents and officials, in moves that have unnerved regional capitals.</p><p>Japan's defence ministry has confirmed the two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, were operating in separate areas in the Pacific on Saturday, both near remote southern islands belonging to Japan.</p><p>"Japan's prompt disclosure of information concerning the carriers underscores its commitment to deter any forceful, unilateral shifts in the regional status quo," Defence Minister Gen Nakatani told a press conference.</p>.Japan to release 200,000 more tons of emergency rice to curb prices.<p>He added that Tokyo has engaged with Beijing to ensure its operations did not pose a threat to Japan's national security, but stopped short of criticising the neighbour.</p><p>Japan is pursuing the build-up of its Pacific air defences and will closely monitor the movements of Chinese naval vessels, Nakatani said.</p><p>Earlier, Japan said the Liaoning sailed within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Minamitorishima, a remote island east of Iwo Jima.</p><p>Beijing's activities were consistent with international law and practice, its foreign ministry said.</p><p>"China has always pursued a defensive national defence policy and hopes that the Japanese side will look at the matter objectively and rationally," ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular news briefing.</p>
<p>Tokyo/Beijing: Two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific for the first time, in a move that Japan's defence minister said signified Beijing's intention to further widen its capabilities beyond its borders.</p><p>Since May, China has been flexing its muscles by sending an unusually large number of naval and coast guard vessels through a swathe of East Asian waters, according to security documents and officials, in moves that have unnerved regional capitals.</p><p>Japan's defence ministry has confirmed the two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, were operating in separate areas in the Pacific on Saturday, both near remote southern islands belonging to Japan.</p><p>"Japan's prompt disclosure of information concerning the carriers underscores its commitment to deter any forceful, unilateral shifts in the regional status quo," Defence Minister Gen Nakatani told a press conference.</p>.Japan to release 200,000 more tons of emergency rice to curb prices.<p>He added that Tokyo has engaged with Beijing to ensure its operations did not pose a threat to Japan's national security, but stopped short of criticising the neighbour.</p><p>Japan is pursuing the build-up of its Pacific air defences and will closely monitor the movements of Chinese naval vessels, Nakatani said.</p><p>Earlier, Japan said the Liaoning sailed within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Minamitorishima, a remote island east of Iwo Jima.</p><p>Beijing's activities were consistent with international law and practice, its foreign ministry said.</p><p>"China has always pursued a defensive national defence policy and hopes that the Japanese side will look at the matter objectively and rationally," ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular news briefing.</p>