TOKYO (AP) — Tensions between Japan and China escalated on Thursday as both nations exchanged accusations following recent dangerous encounters in the Pacific. Japan raised alarms over a Chinese J-15 fighter jet that reportedly came alarmingly close to Japanese reconnaissance planes, heightening concerns over regional security.
According to Japan's Defense Ministry, the Chinese fighter jets, which launched from two Chinese aircraft carriers operating together for the first time in the Pacific, prompted Tokyo's strong response. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed Japan's "serious concern," warning that such near encounters pose risks of accidental collisions.
The Japanese Defense Ministry detailed incidents involving a Chinese J-15 jet that took off from the Shandong aircraft carrier. On Saturday, this jet purportedly pursued a Japanese P-3C aircraft engaged in reconnaissance, coming within an "abnormally close distance" of just 45 meters (approximately 50 yards) for a duration of 40 minutes. Additionally, the same Chinese jet reportedly crossed within 900 meters (about 980 yards) in front of another Japanese P-3C for approximately 80 minutes on Sunday, according to the ministry's statements.
In response to these allegations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian defended China's military operations, stating that they fully align with international law and practices. Lin accused Japanese vessels and aircraft of conducting close reconnaissance of China's military activities, thereby inflaming tensions in the region.
These incidents unfolded in the Pacific, where Japan’s Self-Defense Force detected the dual operations of the Shandong and Liaoning aircraft carriers near southern Japanese islands for the first time. The presence of aircraft carriers significantly enhances a nation's ability to project military power over long distances. China regularly dispatches coast guard vessels, warships, and aircraft around disputed islands in the East China Sea, now extending operations as far as Guam, a U.S. territory housing military bases.
Both Chinese carriers were reportedly maneuvering in waters off Iwo Jima, approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) south of Tokyo. Notably, the Liaoning also entered Japan's exclusive economic zone near Minamitorishima, the easternmost island of Japan. However, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani emphasized that there was no violation of Japanese territorial waters during these maneuvers.
In summary, the escalating military activities and incidents in the Pacific underscore the growing friction between Japan and China as both nations navigate complexities of security, territorial integrity, and regional influence. Onlookers from around the world watch as these developments unfold, amid rising concerns about stability in one of the globe's most strategically significant areas.
