Japan's possible 'warning shot' order heightens Diaoyu disputes

Japan's possible 'warning shot' order heightens Diaoyu disputes

Globaltimes.cn | 2013-1-10 17:26:00
By Globaltimes.cn

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Japan considers ‘warning shots’ on Chinese planes

The Japanese government has been discussing how to enhance methods of interception in the wake of China's increasing maritime and air patrols in the waters off the disputed Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, and Japan might order its F-15J fighter jets to fire warning shots against Chinese surveillance planes, local media reported on January 9.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said in a response that China "remains vigilant against attempts to escalate the tensions."

Reactions to the dispute
	China to continue to patrol in Diaoyu Islands China will continue to carry out regular patrols over its territorial waters off China's Diaoyu Islands and the South China Sea, the State Oceanic Administration said on January 10. China closely monitoring Japanese encroachment on Diaoyu Islands "The Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islets have been China's inherent territory. Patrols conducted by Chinese planes and ships in waters off the islands represent normal administrative activities for the purpose of exercising jurisdiction," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said. China doesn't accept Japan's Diaoyu protests Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that China does not accept Japan's protest and representation over Chinese maritime surveillance ships' patrol in waters off the Diaoyu Islands.
	Japanese official denies interception plan A spokesperson from the Japanese defense ministry contacted by the Global Times said the ministry "hasn't come up with such a detailed plan," and declined to comment on China's surveillance activities. Tokyo summons China envoy Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki summoned Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua and lodged a strong protest with China's patrol, demanding that such intrusions not be repeated, according to the Kyodo News Agency. Abe considers new fighter deployment in Diaoyu airspace tensions Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered the Ministry of Defense Saturday to reconsider the deployment of its fighter jets in response to the recent air encounters over the Diaoyu Islands between Chinese planes and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Japan likely to build up defense spending due to Diaoyu Islands row Japan's government is likely to increase defense spending for the first time in 11 years, Japanese media reported on Saturday, after newly elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged a sterner response to a territorial dispute with China.
	US defense bill confirms backing for Japan on Diaoyu dispute US President Barack Obama has signed a defense policy bill for the fiscal year of 2013, effectively reconfirming that the Diaoyu Islands are subject to the Japan-US security treaty.

View Points

Expert opinions:

Ni Feng, deputy head of the Institute of American Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences:
The bottom line for the US is that it is "not being dragged by Japan into war with China," although Washington has repeatedly told Tokyo that the US-Japan defense treaty applies to any incidents related to the Diaoyu Islands.

Yin Zhuo, Rear Admiral of Chinese Navy:
If Shinzo Abe approves the plan to fire tracer bullets, he has to be responsible for potential bad results.

Qi Leyi, a Taiwan military commentator:
The plan aims to drive Chinese surveillance planes away with a warning but without firing directly at them.

Japan’s military planes will not start firing without an order from the Prime Minister. Therefore, the first shot will be a political decision rather than military decision.

Media comments:

GT editorial - Japan tracer bullets will bring war closer

The Chinese people will certainly ask the government to send naval and air forces to retaliate. If the Chinese government is not earnestly prepared for such a move and will certainly suffer huge political losses.

GT comments - Japan must be judged by actions over Diaoyu Islands spat, not rhetoric
Some sensible Japanese have suggested the Japanese government admit a territorial dispute and solve it via peaceful dialogue. But the extreme right-wing politicians are seeking to amend Japan's Peace Constitution, set up a national defense army and reinforce Japan's military. When we listen to the Japanese rhetoric of improving ties with China, we should concentrate more on its actions.

Chinese media digest - Japan's interception plan upgrades Diaoyu Islands tension
Chinese media suggested that this act will upgrade tension over the Diaoyu Islands and might bring about a military confrontation between China and Japan.

Normal Patrols
to Diaoyu Islands

Time	News
Jan. 7, 2013	A fleet of four Chinese marine surveillance ships continued to patrol territorial waters off China's Diaoyu Islands, according to the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).
Jan. 5, 2013	Japan scrambled fighter jets to head off a Chinese State-owned plane that flew near islands at the center of a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing, a Japanese Defense Ministry spokesman said.
Dec. 31, 2012	Three Chinese marine surveillance ships continued to patrol territorial waters off China's Diaoyu Islands Monday, according to SOA.
Dec. 27, 2012	A Chinese spokesman confirmed that a Chinese marine surveillance plane was disturbed by Japanese military aircraft while patrolling airspace near the Diaoyu Islands.
Dec. 21, 2012	Three Chinese marine surveillance vessels entered the territorial waters around the Diaoyu Islands to carry out a patrol, according to SOA.
Dec. 14, 2012	A Chinese marine surveillance plane was sent to join vessels patrolling the territorial waters around the Diaoyu Islands, according to China's maritime authorities.
Dec. 10, 2012	A flotilla of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy patrolled waters near the Diaoyu Islands after returning from a training exercise in the West Pacific.
Nov. 20, 2012	Four Chinese marine surveillance vessels patrolled the territorial waters around the Diaoyu Islands.
Nov. 4, 2012	Four Chinese marine surveillance ships patrolled waters off the Diaoyu Islands, according to a statement from SOA.
Oct. 25, 2012	A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed that Chinese maritime surveillance ships had entered the 12-nautical-mile zone around the Diaoyu Islands.