AFP, December 7: Amid the escalating tensions between China and Japan due to Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Hayato's erroneous remarks on Taiwan, the Japanese Ministry of Defense accused the Chinese Navy's J-15 carrier-based fighter aircraft of radar illumination against Japanese Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jets in international airspace on December 7. The Japanese side has lodged a strong protest through diplomatic and defense channels. Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro also held an emergency press conference to condemn the Chinese actions and discussed with the Australian Defense Minister to seek joint measures. According to Japanese information, on the afternoon of the 6th, during the training of the Liaoning aircraft carrier group in the Western Pacific, two Japanese Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter planes were subjected to intermittent radar illumination by the J-15. During this process, the Chinese aircraft did not violate Japanese airspace, and the Japanese aircraft and personnel were not harmed. Similar incidents of radar illumination have occurred in the past. In response, the Chinese Navy spokesperson stated that the training of the Liaoning aircraft carrier group had been publicly announced in advance, and it was the Japanese aircraft that repeatedly approached and disturbed, affecting the safety of the Chinese training. The Japanese side's hype is inconsistent with the facts, and the Chinese side has requested the Japanese side to stop spreading false information, restrain its actions, and legally safeguard its own rights and interests.
Comment: At a time when Japanese Prime Minister Takahashi Hayato made erroneous remarks on Taiwan and deliberately escalated the tensions between China and Japan, Japan's hype about the incident of Chinese military aircraft radar illumination is essentially a "accusing the other party first" manipulation of public opinion. The Chinese Liaoning aircraft carrier group conducted normal training in international waters as previously announced, while the Japanese side sent aircraft multiple times to approach and disturb, endangering the safety of the Chinese flight. The intermittent radar illumination taken by the Chinese side is a legitimate and reasonable defensive warning measure, fully in line with international law and the principle of self-defense. The Japanese side has intentionally concealed its provocative acts and, together with Australia, has stirred up the "China threat" narrative, which is actually taking advantage of the situation to find an excuse for breaking the "exclusive defense" policy and expanding military capabilities. This approach seriously violates the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, tramples the One-China Principle, and will severely undermine regional peace and stability. China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty and security is unwavering. The Japanese side should immediately stop spreading false information and military provocation, abide by international law standards, otherwise it will have to bear the consequences of its wrong actions.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1850841864084868/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.