Chinese military vessels and spy drones track Keen Sword war games off Japan

What happened: Japan spotted PLA aircraft, spy drones and warships, including a supply ship that could support the Liaoning aircraft carrier, as Tokyo and Washington began Keen Sword drills focused on a potential Taiwan contingency. Key numbers: Three PLA aircraft, two drones and a reconnaissance plane, flew through international airspace between Japanese islands into the Pacific on Monday. Why it matters: Japan scrambled fighter jets in response to the flights, which came as the drills with Washington started.

Japan spotted PLA aircraft, spy drones and warships, including a supply ship that could support the Liaoning aircraft carrier, as Tokyo and Washington began Keen Sword drills focused on a potential Taiwan contingency.

Japan scrambled fighter jets in response to the flights, which came as the drills with Washington started.