Japan's Defense Ministry says a Chinese fighter jet flew unusually close to a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol plane that was over the high seas in the Pacific.

China has deployed both of its aircraft carriers—CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong —to the east of the first island chain since June 7. Japan's military reported that its patrol aircraft was intercepted by fighter jets launched from the Shandong while conducting surveillance.

Japan reached out to China, expressing concern the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy J-15 fighters that came within 50 meters of a Japanese surveillance aircraft, Japan Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Friday.

The two Chinese carriers currently in the western Pacific employ the older “ski-jump” launch method for aircraft, with a ramp at the end of a short runway to assist planes taking off. China’s first carrier, the Liaoning, was a repurposed Soviet ship. The second, the Shandong, was built in China along the Soviet design.

Despite international cooperation, Europe’s sixth-gen fighter jets, FCAS and GCAP, face delays and rivalries. As global powers race ahead, Japan’s growing urgency and Europe’s fragmented efforts could hamper long-term competitiveness.

TOKYO (Reuters) -The Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning sailed through waters east of the island of Iwo Jima in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, Japan's top government spokesperson said on Monday.