Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

 

‌The US Department of State criticized China on Tuesday local time regarding the "radar illumination" issue, claiming that "China's actions are not conducive to regional peace and stability" and reaffirming its unwavering commitment to Japan. In response, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said the international community should distinguish right from wrong and not be deceived by Japan. 

Chinese media have already released on-site recordings and relevant details, and the facts and truth are very clear, Guo said at Wednesday's press conference. 

Guo noted that China conducting exercise and training activities in the relevant sea and airspace fully complies with international law and international practice. The related operations were professional, standard, safe, and restrained, and are beyond reproach. Japan deliberately provoked and caused disruption first, then fabricated rumors and hyped the issue afterward. It is the planner and instigator of this farce and must bear all responsibility. 

Guo added that we hope the international community will distinguish right from wrong and not be deceived by Japan. Japan's allies, in particular, should be highly vigilant and not be misled by Japan's narrative.

Reuters said it was the first time that the US openly backed Japan on this issue.  China's actions "are not conducive to regional peace and stability," a Reuters report said citing one unnamed State Department spokesperson. The spokesperson called the US alliance with Japan "unwavering."

Two Democrats lawmakers also sent a joint letter to the US president on Monday urging him to back Japan, the Japan Times wrote.

Since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, US leadership has shown caution, with no intention of direct involvement. The facts are clear in the case that Japan is the instigator, said Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, said allies of Japan should distinguish right and wrong to avoid "adding fuel to the fire" and stoking confrontations in the Asia-Pacific region.  

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo said on Monday that the Japanese side's claim of Chinese Navy carrier-based aircraft conducting "radar illumination" on Japanese SDF fighter jets was an attempt to spread disinformation in military and security areas and creating tension at this particular time. 

Guo elaborated that the incident arose from Japanese jets' deliberate intrusion into China's exercise and training zones and close-in reconnaissance and disruptions on China's normal military activities. Yet, the Japanese side blamed it on China and sought to mislead the world by falsely accusing China of "radar illumination." China deplores and opposes the false accusation and has strongly protested to the Japanese side. 

Lü told the Global Times that Japan should understand that any escalation on its part will bring corresponding consequences, as the distinction between right and wrong is very clear. It is obvious which side is misleading public opinion and which side is provoking and fueling conflicts.