Photo/Illutration The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is docked at the U.S. naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Sept. 6. (Wataru Sekita)

YOKOSUKA, Kanagawa Prefecture--The British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth called at port at the U.S. naval base here on Sept. 4, part of its first deployment since it was commissioned in late 2017.

The visit is aimed at showcasing Britain’s defensive co-operation with Japan.

The warship’s maiden operational voyage is meant to serve as a check to China, which is seeking to expand its military presence from the East China Sea to the western Pacific.

The carrier will depart from Yokosuka Naval Base on Sept. 9, according to Japan’s Defense Ministry.

Julia Longbottom, Britain's ambassador to Japan, greeted the carrier during its inaugural visit and touted Japan as a vital security partner to Britain.

She told reporters the deployment of the Carrier Strike Group to the region shows Britain’s commitment to strengthen its partnership with Japan based on their shared values, security priorities and strong trade relations.

The carrier left Britain in May. It is the flagship of the Carrier Strike Group, which includes eight surface ships and one submarine from Britain, the United States and the Netherlands.

The strike group has been deployed to the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea for exercises with coastal countries.

It began a joint air and naval exercise with Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force in late August in areas from the East China Sea to the south of the Kanto region. One ship from Canada also joined the exercise this month.

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