TOKYO: Intense military activity was reported from a Chinese carrier strike group near Japan over the weekend, raising tensions between the two nations amid ongoing diplomatic disputes.
The operations occurred close to Japan’s southwestern islands, shortly after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed that Tokyo might respond vigorously if China undertakes military actions against Taiwan that could threaten Japan’s security.
According to Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning executed around 100 take-offs and landings as it headed eastward into the Pacific Ocean, passing the Okinawa Islands.
In response to this activity, Tokyo called in China’s ambassador, Wu Jianghao, on Sunday to express its concerns. Japan labeled the behavior as both dangerous and regrettable. The Japanese government claimed the carrier’s fighter jets aimed radar beams at its own aircraft, which were dispatched to monitor the vessel.
Using radar to highlight aircraft can suggest an impending attack, sometimes forcing the targeted planes to change course.
The embassy of China rejected Japan’s allegations, claiming that Japanese aircraft endangered flight safety by coming too close to the carrier and its three missile-destroyer escorts during a training exercise.
In a statement, the Chinese embassy demanded that Japan cease its negative portrayal and urged it to control frontline operations to avoid future incidents.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, firmly dismissed China’s assertions that Japanese aircraft disrupted safe flying conditions. He assured that Japan would respond both calmly and decisively while monitoring the movements of Chinese forces in the region.
After Prime Minister Takaichi’s remarks, China advised its citizens against traveling to Japan and temporarily halted the resumption of seafood imports, which had been suspended following Japan’s release of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.
China regards Taiwan, a democratically governed region, as part of its territory and has increased military pressure on the island, which firmly denies Beijing’s claims.
Taiwan is located just 110 km (about 70 miles) from Japan’s westernmost islands in Okinawa. The U.S. military maintains a significant presence in Japan, particularly with thousands of U.S. Marines stationed in Okinawa.
While the U.S. State Department and the U.S. embassy in Tokyo did not comment on Japan’s accusations against China, the U.S. ambassador in Japan, George Glass, expressed support for Japan in the ongoing tensions. However, President Donald Trump has remained silent on the issue, even as he plans a trip to Beijing for trade discussions next year.
