Chinese military drone flies near Japanese islands, prompting Tokyo to scramble fighter jets
The ministry added that it would continue patrolling and surveillance as it was believed the Chinese military could be using drones in an effort to increase its operational capabilities.
Tokyo’s ties with Beijing faltered last year amid differences over Taiwan and disputes in the East China Sea, which is home to the disputed Diaoyu Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan. The uninhabited islands are administered by Tokyo and claimed by Beijing.
Last month, the Chinese navy’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, along with two destroyers and a frigate, conducted a series of military drills near Okinawa. Around 180 carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters took off and landed on the carrier during the exercises.Japan’s Self-Defence Forces responded by dispatching two escort ships to collect information and carry out warning and surveillance, according to the Japanese defence ministry.
Beijing has also increased its military presence in the Taiwan Strait. A total of 71 People’s Liberation Army aircraft conducted military drills near Taiwan last week, with 47 of them crossing the median line that serves as the de facto border between the self-ruled island and mainland China.Japan defence stance sours mood ahead of foreign minister’s China trip
Japan revised its national defence strategy in December, adding plans to raise military spending to 2 per cent of its gross domestic product by 2027 and acquire counter-strike capabilities against “enemy territory” – an apparent reference to China and North Korea. The document also referred to China as an “unprecedented strategic challenge” to Japan’s security.Washington welcomed the moves by Japan and said the revised strategy had “reshaped” the ability of US allies to promote peace in the Indo-Pacific region.Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing, said China’s drone operations were aimed at responding to Japan’s tighter ties with the United States and the radical change to its national defence strategy.
Shi said the drone operations were a continuation of China’s years-long deterrence and combat preparations in response to US-Japan military actions targeting Beijing.
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Choo Jae-woo, professor of Chinese studies at Kyung Hee University in Seoul, echoed that view, saying China’s drone intrusions near the Japanese islands were a response to Tokyo’s revised national defence strategy.
“I think it is like a protest against Tokyo’s new defence strategy,” Choo said. “Because of this, China’s activities in the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait may become more frequent to strengthen defence capacity in the surrounding region, as well as to send a message to Washington.”
However, Shi said the drone would probably not have a big impact on the already tense relations between Japan and China.
“Tension is already high militarily and will not further heighten only because of a single small action,” he said.
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