CHINA: FLIES BOMBERS AND DRONES NEAR JAPANESE SKIES

China Flies Bombers and Drone Near Japanese Skies

By J. Michael Cole

September 10, 2013

China

The Japanese Self-Defense Forces were on a high state of alert on September 9 ahead of the first anniversary of Japan’s controversial purchase of islets in the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu archipelago, particularly after a pair of Chinese bombers flew near Okinawa the previous day.

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera has ordered military personnel to strengthen their surveillance around the Senkakus, which are also claimed by China and Taiwan. A source in the Japanese government indicated that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Chinese maritime enforcement could take “outstanding” action in the area on September 11, the first anniversary of the purchase.

The “nationalization” of three of the five islets comprising the Senkakus in 2012 sparked large-scale protests across China, which also claims ownership of the oil- and natural-gas-rich area. Beijing retaliated against Japan’s attempted nationalization of the islets by increasing the frequency of naval patrols in the area, raising fears of accidental clashes and escalation.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Defense Ministry confirmed in a statement that it had scrambled fighter aircraft on September 8 to shadow two Chinese Xian H-6 bombers that were observed between the main island of southern Okinawa and Miyakojima, an area that Chinese vessels have often used to transit into the Pacific Ocean to conduct exercises. The bombers reportedly did not violate Japanese airspace.

The H-6 is based on the Soviet-built Tupolev Tu-16 Badger. A newer variant comes equipped with intermediate-range cruise missiles.

Itsunori nevertheless described the flight as “unusual” and called for vigilance two days prior to Wednesday’s anniversary. The Chinese Ministry of National Defense confirmed on Monday that the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aircraft had recently headed for the West Pacific for routine exercises, which it said were not aimed at any specific country.

Separately, Japan also confirmed that two Chinese warships — Type 054A frigates Yiyang and Changzhou — were observed approximately 100 km northeast of Miyakojima on September 9 heading from the Pacific into the East China Sea.

In another “unusual incident,” an unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was spotted near the Senkakus around noon on September 9. The Air Self-Defence Force dispatched combat aircraft to intercept the drone, whose origin has yet to be confirmed. A Defense Ministry official said the UAV, which never entered Japanese airspace, had come from the northwest and was seen returning in that direction. This was the first reported incident of this kind.

Based on image analysis and unconfirmed reports, the drone is believed to have been a BZK-005 medium/high-altitude long-range unmanned reconnaissance UAV from the PLA.

Asked to comment on the incident, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei intially said he was unaware of the situation. The PLA later confirmed that the UAV belonged to China and said it was on a routine mission

ELasker
September 13, 2013 at 9:22 am

An appropriate amount of tension is necessary and sufficient for China. The situation is actually rather stable. China’s action is effective for its cause. This amount of tension is part of a winning procedure.

The situation now is that Japan has administrative right but no sovereignty over those islands. The international community has not recognized Japanese claim. The issue is technically shelved.

If China wants to control them now, force may have to be used.

But as long as China demonstrates the dispute and its serious attitude toward the dispute, no responsible country will recognize Japanese claim. This is at least to avoid war in East Asia. The US is in a particularly precarious situation for being considered the sinner in precipitating a hot war, by carelessly giving Japan the administrative right (due to the white guilt thing in the early 70's).

The USA is clear in is position of having no position on the validity of either’s claim, just that if war broke out the US would side with Japan. The crux is that China has a very long time to develop comprehensively as this dispute will go on for decades without conclusion while China gains the advantages over Japan.

The US’s role from now on in this is limited, except for the historical blunder in giving Japan the administrative right. China will have various means to pressure Japan in the decades to come without war. What could Japan do when in say 2040 hordes of unarmed Chinese boat people start to land on the islands? I cannot see how Japan can hold onto those islands and refuse negotiation. Trade will be eroded due to animosity of the Chinese consumers.

The international situation now is highly favorable for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation: the Western world is much less racist and imperialistic, China is no longer dogmatic and is willing to Westernize, and globalization is very beneficial to China. Time is on China’s side and natural domination over Japan will recur. Such is nearly certain; at least the Chinese leadership will refuse to believe that 11 Chinese producing about the same as 1 Japanese is normalcy.

The Chinese will not be so worked up over this brief moment in time, but some demonstration of resolve is also needed. Two non-parallel lines intersect only once, why would China be so concerned at the intersection?


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