中国爆撃機が沖縄－宮古間通過　空母「遼寧」と連携か―防衛省

　防衛省統合幕僚監部は１８日、中国空軍のＨ６爆撃機２機が沖縄本島と宮古島の間を通過したと発表した。爆撃機は東シナ海方向から南下し、沖縄南方の太平洋上を周回飛行して戻った。周辺の海域では、今月初めから空母「遼寧」など中国海軍の艦艇が活動を続けており、同省は関連を含め、詳しく分析している。
　同省によると、中国機の沖縄―宮古間通過は２月以来。航空自衛隊の戦闘機が対応し、領空侵犯はなかった。爆撃機は対艦ミサイルのようなものを搭載していたという。
　遼寧は沖縄南方の太平洋上を移動しながら、艦載機の発着艦を２００回以上実施。爆撃機は周辺を飛行しており、連携して探知や戦闘の訓練を行った可能性がある。（2022/05/18-21:21）

Two Chinese H-6 bombers passed between the main island of Okinawa and Miyako Island, both in the southernmost Japan prefecture of Okinawa, on Wednesday, the Japanese Defense Ministry's Joint Staff said.
   The bombers flew in a southern direction from the East China Sea and then circled over the Pacific Ocean before going back in the opposite direction.
   The Japan Air Self-Defense Force responded to the incident and confirmed no incursion into Japanese airspace. The Chinese bombers were loaded with what appeared to be anti-ship missiles, ministry officials said.
   According to the ministry, such a flight by a Chinese warplane was last observed in February. The ministry is looking for any connections between the latest flight and the activity of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning in nearby waters since earlier this month.
   Over 200 aircraft landings and takeoffs have been seen on the Liaoning sailing south of Okinawa in the Pacific. The bombers may have conducted detection and combat drills jointly with the aircraft carrier.