Japan Urges China to Halt Dangerous Military Close Encounters
Japan has expressed serious concerns to China about its fighter jets flying dangerously close to Japanese reconnaissance aircraft. This unsettling pattern, which Japan claims has been recurring, poses a risk of collision.
The Japanese Defense Ministry reported that a Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber came within 30 meters of a YS-11EB electronic intelligence aircraft operated by the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. This incident took place outside Japanese airspace over the East China Sea but raised alarms nonetheless.
China has not yet commented on this recent occurrence. However, it previously accused Japan of monitoring its military activities, claiming that Japanese aircraft were flying in close proximity to its own.
Japan is increasingly wary of China’s rapid military expansion, particularly in regions close to its southwestern territories. In response to these incidents, Japan’s Foreign Ministry stated that Vice Minister Takehiro Funakoshi conveyed his deep concerns to Chinese Ambassador Wu Jianghao. Japan strongly urged Beijing to put an end to these provocative maneuvers, emphasizing the need to prevent similar situations in the future.
Tensions have escalated as both nations have exchanged accusations regarding close encounters in the Pacific Ocean. Previous reports indicated that a Chinese combat aircraft came alarmingly close to a Japanese P-3C surveillance aircraft, with two Chinese aircraft carriers being observed operating together.
Despite these military tensions, economic relations between Japan and China seem to be gradually warming. In a recent development, Japan announced the initiation of an animal health and quarantine agreement with China, which might lead to the reopening of Japanese beef exports, a trade that has been on hold since 2001 due to a mad cow disease outbreak.
This new agreement follows China’s recent decision to ease a 22-month ban on Japanese seafood imports, showcasing a complex relationship marked by both cooperation and tension. Japan looks forward to strengthening trade ties while remaining vigilant regarding national security.
