Washington’s retaliatory fusillade against China’s recent military maneuvers that have increased tensions in the Pacific. This follows only a few weeks after a close call between a Chinese fighter jet and a Japan Self-Defence Force (JASDF) patrol aircraft. Although Japan has officially registered its “serious concern” for the incident, China has yet to respond—much less admit wrongdoing.
The near miss occurred when a Chinese fighter jet from the aircraft carrier Shandong flew within 45 meters of the Japanese SDF patrol plane. This latest incident came as China conducted unprecedented military exercises across the region. At one point, the Shandong was reportedly conducting “dangerous” maneuvers, including crossing almost directly in front of the Japanese aircraft flying at the same altitude, within roughly 900 meters.
China’s latest naval exercises were a display of its two aircraft carriers, the Shandong and Liaoning. For the first time, these carriers passed through Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) last weekend. Tokyo, as one might expect, is on high alert given this first explicit incursion into disputed waters. This only continues to boil over, as China raises the military stakes by surrounding disputed islands in the East China Sea.
Japan’s defense establishment has responded vigorously to these developments. Gen Nakatani remarked, “China apparently aims to elevate its capability of the two aircraft carriers and to advance its operational capability of the distant sea and airspace.” This signals a wavering in the once staunchly held position among Japanese officials regarding increasing assertiveness by China in expanding waters.
China’s foreign ministry defended its military operations, urging Japan to “view those activities objectively and rationally.” As Tansuo’s Lin Jian from the ministry of foreign affairs pointed out, these drills are mostly defensive-oriented, even if Japan is worried.
Among them, the Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong has been particularly provocative and busy. It carried out fighter jet and helicopter takeoff and landing drills north of Okinotori, Japan’s southernmost island, and within Japan’s EEZ. In addition to heightening tensions with Japan, these operations have attracted the ire of other countries across the Pacific.
Japan has voiced particular concern over China’s increasing military capabilities, especially in light of plans to deploy new missile systems to Kyushu, which could be interpreted as a departure from Japan’s postwar constitution that limits its armed forces to a strictly defensive posture.
China’s aggressive military behavior does not stop with Japan. Just earlier this year, the country held live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea, located between Australia and New Zealand. This year’s event demonstrated its ambitious growth and increasing global influence.
Despite these developments, China’s military and government have not publicly responded to Japan’s complaints regarding the near miss. As the quiet continues, skepticism grows regarding whether China is serious about their plans. Does it perceive its military actions as acts of aggression, or are they merely pre-emptive strikes to counter threats?
Chinese pilots have been noted as engaging in unsafe practices during previous encounters. This has included proactive engagement with countries like Australia, the Philippines, the US and Canada. These situations have led to increased demands for accountability and transparency with respect to military protocols from China.