Chinese vessels "came close" to Okinawa Island, Japan says

EIGHT Chinese naval vessels, including an aircraft carrier, passed between islands in Japan's southern Okinawa chain yesterday, Japan's defence ministry said in a news release. The ships, which included several destroyers, sailed between the main Okinawa island and Miyakojima, according to the ministry. Although there was no incursion into Japan's territorial waters, helicopters on board the Liaoning carrier took off and landed, the ministry said. China's Defence Ministry did not answer calls seeking comment during a national holiday. The US 7th Fleet, part of the Navy's Pacific force, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Taiwan's Defence Ministry…