Key Facts
• October 18-19: Two Chinese naval vessels passed through the Osumi Strait.
• One vessel sailed 40 km off Kuchinoerabu Island, another 80 km west of the island.
• Vessels identified: Dongdiao-class intelligence ship and Luyang III-class missile destroyer.
• October 18, 3 PM: Dongdiao-class ship spotted 80 km west of Kuchinoerabu Island.
• October 19, 1 AM: Luyang III-class destroyer confirmed 40 km west of the island.
• Both ships proceeded east through the Osumi Strait into the Pacific Ocean.
• Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force monitored the vessels; no territorial waters breached.
• Foreign ships are permitted to navigate the Osumi Strait under international law.
• Chinese naval transits through the strait: 7 times in 2022, 10 times in 2023, 9 times in 2024.
• Japan’s Ministry of Defense stated no definitive conclusions on China’s intentions.
Summary
Two Chinese naval vessels, including a Dongdiao-class intelligence ship and a Luyang III-class missile destroyer, navigated the Osumi Strait into the Pacific Ocean on October 18-19, 2024. The ships were observed 40 km and 80 km west of Kuchinoerabu Island, respectively. Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force monitored the transit, confirming no breach of territorial waters. This marks the ninth such passage by Chinese naval vessels through the strait this year, following 7 in 2022 and 10 in 2023. While foreign ships are allowed to navigate the Osumi Strait under international law, Japan’s Ministry of Defense has not determined China’s specific intentions.
