...
By Ryan Chan
China News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A Chinese aircraft carrier reportedly deployed fighter jets that twice locked their radar on Japanese air force units while operating near the United States ally's territory.
Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said on Sunday that while no Air Self-Defense Force aircraft or personnel were harmed, Tokyo views the "radar lock-on" incident as a dangerous act that exceeds what is necessary for the safe flight of aircraft.
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Defense Ministry, accused Japan of being "a thief crying stop thief," saying it had intruded into the aircraft carrier CNS Liaoning's exercise and training zones that had been announced in advance.
Read More on World
Why It Matters
The encounter between Chinese and Japanese forces signaled a further deterioration in relations between the two East Asian countries, after Beijing strongly opposed Tokyo's November remarks about possible military intervention in the event of a Chinese blockade of Taiwan, the self-ruled island near Japan's southwestern territory that China has threatened to take by force.
The deployment of the Liaoning—one of three Chinese aircraft carriers—marks the continuation of China's efforts to expand its military presence east of the First Island Chain, a north-south defensive line formed by Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines under a U.S. strategy aimed at constraining Chinese military activities in the western Pacific.
What To Know
Koizumi reported that two of the Liaoning's J-15 fighter jets locked their radars on two Japanese F-15 fighter jets from approximately 4:32 p.m. to 4:35 p.m. and 6:37 p.m. to 7:08 p.m. on Saturday local time over international waters southeast of Japan's Okinawa Island.
...
The Japanese jets were enforcing air defense identification zone (ADIZ) measures when they encountered the Chinese aircraft. Japan has established an ADIZ over international waters outside its airspace to provide identification and early warning.
The Liaoning—operating alongside the destroyers CNS Nanchang, CNS Xining and CNS Kaifeng—reached an area southeast of Okinawa Island on Saturday after passing through the Miyako Strait from the East China Sea, according to Japan's Defense Ministry.
As of Sunday, the Chinese aircraft carrier-led naval task group was tracked operating in the Philippine Sea east of Kikaijima—one of Japan's southwestern outlying islands—after a northeast voyage from its previously reported location near Okinawa.
A map provided by Japan's Defense Ministry shows the Chinese navy operated outside Japanese territorial waters—extending up to 13.8 miles from the coastline—but within the country's exclusive economic zone, which stretches up to 230 miles from the coast.
It remains unclear whether the Chinese flotilla will move farther north, closer to three of Japan's four main islands—Kyushu, Shikoku and Honshu—over the next few days.
Regarding the "radar lock-on" incident, Senior Captain Wang Xuemeng, spokesperson for the Chinese navy, said on Sunday that J-15 jets conducted routine flight training east of the Miyako Strait, with prior notice given of the training waters and airspace.
The Japanese jets "repeatedly approached" the Chinese naval training area, which posed a significant risk to flight safety, the spokesperson said, warning that the Chinese navy will take measures to safeguard its security, rights and interests, without elaborating.
At the diplomatic level, Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Funakoshi Takehiro summoned Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao, lodging a strong protest over the radar illumination incident and urging China to ensure that similar dangerous actions do not recur.
China does not accept the protest and has lodged counter-protests, an unnamed Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, adding that Japan's reconnaissance and disruptions of Chinese military activities pose "the biggest maritime and air security risk."
What People Are Saying
Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said: "We view the occurrence of such an incident with utmost regret, and we have lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side while making a stern demand for measures to prevent recurrence."
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Defense Ministry, said: "We urge Japan to accurately assess the situation, genuinely reflect on and correct its mistakes, completely abandon any ill-conceived schemes, and refrain from further distancing itself from the Chinese people and the international community."
Senior Captain Wang Xuemeng, spokesperson for the Chinese navy, said: "The hype from the Japanese side is completely inconsistent with the facts. We solemnly demand that Japan immediately stop its defamation and smears and strictly discipline its frontline actions."
An unnamed Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: "China firmly opposes it and strongly urges the Japanese side to immediately stop its dangerous moves of harassing China's normal military exercise and training, and stop all irresponsible disinformation and political manipulation."
What Happens Next
The Japanese military is expected to continue monitoring and tracking the Chinese aircraft carrier task group as it approaches Japan's main islands. It remains to be seen whether the Chinese navy will circumnavigate Japan to demonstrate its strength.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines