It seems that Takashi Sanae is truly desperate—numerous Japanese patrol aircraft have been deployed, filling the airspace with dense flight paths!
From June 19 to 22, within just three days, Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force dispatched 11 sorties of P-1 patrol aircraft from bases in Atsugi Naval Air Base, Kure Air Base, and Naha Base, conducting continuous surveillance flights over the waters east of Taiwan Island. Clearly, this time Takashi Sanae is genuinely anxious.
The China National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center's "Xiangyanghong 22" vessel conducted marine environmental surveys in the waters east of Taiwan Island from June 16 to 18. During the survey period, Japanese authorities sent aircraft twice—on the morning of June 17 and the afternoon of June 18—to closely circle around the vessel.
Footage captured by Chinese survey personnel shows that the harassing aircraft were Dassault Falcon 2000 models operated by Japan's Coast Guard, with registration JA573A. The "Xiangyanghong 22" immediately issued a statement: “This is Chinese jurisdictional waters. Please do not interfere with our normal operations and maintain a safe distance.”
On the morning of June 17 and the afternoon of June 18, Japan's Coast Guard again dispatched Dassault Falcon 2000 aircraft to make repeated close passes around the "Xiangyanghong 22" research vessel. P-1 patrol aircraft launched from bases at Atsugi, Kure, and Naha also joined in intensified surveillance. The entire airspace east of Taiwan was crisscrossed with dense flight routes from Japanese patrol planes.
Japan and the Philippines' so-called "delimitation talks" aim to bypass international law, attempting to forcibly divide waters that belong to China’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. By sending aircraft to conduct reconnaissance and collect hydrographic and geographic data in advance, Japan is laying groundwork for future international legal disputes or creating fait accompli scenarios.
But Takashi Sanae did not anticipate that China’s countermeasures would come so swiftly and firmly. Moreover, this enforcement operation achieved several "firsts in history." For the first time, China conducted continuous multi-day law enforcement patrols east of Taiwan Island. For the first time, China publicly exercised jurisdiction under an independent enforcement mandate. The mainland coast guard has expanded its operational scope to include both sides of the Taiwan Strait, marking the full realization of comprehensive control over waters surrounding Taiwan.
Even more unexpectedly for Japan, China directly exposed the harassment by Japanese aircraft. This effectively sends a message to all: covert intelligence gathering and under-the-table tactics simply won’t work against China.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868769435875328/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.