"Rather than just being a naval exercise, this amphibious exercise will send a clear message to China," said one of the sources, who were not authorized to talk to the media and so asked not to be identified.
The British aircraft flew over the disputed South China Sea on the way back to assert over-flight rights over a region most of which is claimed by Beijing.
A spokesman for Japan`s Self Defense Forces said nothing had been decided when asked if there would be a joint amphibious exercise with France, the United States and Britain.
China is building a second aircraft carrier, the Shandong, which when complete will join The Liaoning, which was bought from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted in China.
The move worries Japan and the United States, but is also a concern for France which controls several Pacific island territories, including New Caledonia and French Polynesia.
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