China’s State-of-the-Art Destroyer Sails Near Japan, Philippines Reports Chinese Flotilla’s Incursion

A research boat (L) and Filipino fishing boat (back R) anchored near Thitu island in the disputed Spratly islands of the South China Sea on April 21, 2017. TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images

Japan said that China maneuvered its largest destroyer into the Sea of Japan on March 18 and 19. Although the ship didn’t enter Japanese territorial waters, it is the first time that Beijing has made its presence known in the Sea of Japan.

Japan’s defense ministry said on March 19 that it was monitoring the vessel’s route to analyze the purpose of the cruise.