Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

In response to a question from Japanese media about so-called “radar illumination” by a Chinese warplane, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference on Wednesday that China has stated its solemn position on this matter many times, and the facts are very clear. Guo noted that the Japanese side previously claimed that they did not receive notification from China, but now they admit that they had indeed received information from Chinese side beforehand. The statements are inconsistent and evasive.

The Japanese side has so far refused to explain why, despite having received prior notification, it insisted on sending fighter jets to intrude into China's exercise and training zone, conduct close-in reconnaissance to cause disruption, create tense situations, and persistently engage in malicious hype, Guo said. “Is Japan deliberately attempting to shift the focus and mislead the international community? What Japan should do now is to face up to the crux of the current difficulties in China-Japan relations, earnestly reflect on its mistakes, and honestly retract Prime Minister Takaichi’s erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan.”


Guo made a similar response when asked about remarks made by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi at a press conference on Wednesday over the so-called “radar illumination” by Chinese warplane. 

According to a report by Japanese media outlet Sankei Shimbun on Wednesday, Koizumi admitted that the Chinese side made notifications about the start of flight training, but he claimed that the notifications provided insufficient information about the scale or area.

Guo reiterated that Japan previously claimed that it had not received any prior notification from China, but now it admits to having received information from China beforehand. This contradictory stance fully demonstrates that Japan deliberately initiated the disturbance first and later resorted to spreading rumors and sensationalizing the issue. 

Japan is the planner and instigator of this entire farce, Guo said.

Global Times