The appearance of two Chinese aircraft carriers conducting simultaneous operations in the Pacific has raised questions about China’s intentions. Taiwan’s Defence Minister Wellington Koo suggests that this may be a political message signalling the country’s ‘expansionist’ aims, as expressed on Wednesday.

The day before, Japan’s defense minister suggested that this development signified Beijing’s intention to extend its capabilities beyond its borders. Koo added that Taiwan’s armed forces have been closely monitoring the carriers’ movements.

“Crossing from the first island chain into the second island chain sends a definite political message, and their expansionist nature can be seen,” Koo stated during a press meeting in Taipei. The first island chain he refers to spans from Japan to Taiwan, the Philippines, and Borneo, while the second reaches out further into the Pacific, including areas such as the U.S. territory of Guam.

China’s navy has been expanding its ability to operate further from the country’s coast. China operates two carriers, with a third presently undergoing sea trials. They claimed on Tuesday that the carrier operations were a “routine training” exercise, not targeting specific countries or regions.

Taiwan, which China views as part of its territory, consistently observes Chinese military movements due to frequent drills and war games Beijing stages around the island. Taiwan’s Air Force Chief of Staff, Lee Ching-jan, has confirmed that Taiwan is expected to receive a dozen of the 66 F-16V fighter jets ordered from the United States later this year, with the remaining to arrive by 2026.

This development follows earlier reports that, since May, China has been demonstrating its military prowess through an unusually large number of naval and coast guard vessels in East Asian waters, causing unease within regional capitals.

Japan’s defense ministry has confirmed the operation of the two carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, in separate Pacific areas, both close to remote southern islands that belong to Japan. Furthermore, Japan reported that the Liaoning sailed within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) near Minamitorishima, an isolated island east of Iwo Jima. These actions raise important questions about the potential implications for regional security.