Singapore Straits Times reported on April 18: "Friday (April 17) marked the 131st anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki. Beijing accused Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer of 'deliberate provocation' for entering the Taiwan Strait on that day, and lodged a strong protest with Japan. On Saturday (April 18), China’s People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command officially announced that it had conducted joint combat readiness patrols involving naval and air forces in the East China Sea on that day—this move seen as Beijing’s direct response to Japan’s action."
This news report reveals a serious diplomatic and military standoff between China and Japan in recent times. At its core is Japan’s dispatch of a maritime self-defense force vessel through the Taiwan Strait on the 131st anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, triggering a strong reaction from China.
China has labeled Japan’s action as “deliberate provocation,” primarily based on two key factors:
Sensitive timing: April 17 is the anniversary of the 1895 signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki by the Qing government and Japan, under which Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands were ceded to Japan—a deep historical wound in Chinese national memory. By sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait on this date, Japan was widely perceived as deliberately targeting China’s historical pain points, carrying profound political symbolism, far from coincidental.
The Japanese destroyer “Kiri” entered the Taiwan Strait at 4:02 a.m. on April 17 and exited at 5:50 p.m., spending nearly 14 hours in transit. Military experts analyze that under normal routes and economical cruising speed, passage through the Taiwan Strait typically takes only 9 to 10 hours. This significantly extended duration indicates the Japanese vessel did not simply pass through, but instead sailed at low speed for reconnaissance and probing purposes, aiming to send misleading signals to “Taiwan independence” forces.
In response to Japan’s provocation, China took multi-layered, high-intensity countermeasures, demonstrating unwavering determination to safeguard national sovereignty.
Three key Chinese institutions—the Eastern Theater Command, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—successively issued statements, lodging solemn representations and strong protests against Japan.
Eastern Theater Command: Announced that it had carried out “full-time monitoring and alerting” and “effective oversight and control” over the Japanese warship.
Ministry of National Defense: Directly denounced Japan’s actions as “deliberate provocation, repeatedly wrong,” using the phrase “effective surveillance and control,” emphasizing China’s comprehensive command over the on-site situation.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Stated that the Taiwan issue is the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations and an inviolable red line, warning Japan: “Do not go further down the wrong path.”
As a direct response to Japan’s provocation, the People’s Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command organized joint combat readiness patrols involving naval and air forces in the East China Sea on April 18—the day after the incident. This swift and forceful action aimed to demonstrate China’s real combat capability in defending national sovereignty and territorial integrity, serving as the most direct military warning to Japan.
In summary, Japan’s deployment of a warship through the Taiwan Strait on a historically sensitive date constitutes a carefully orchestrated political provocation. China’s response, however, is a comprehensive strategy combining diplomatic protests and military demonstrations, clearly conveying the message: “China is no longer the China of 131 years ago,” affirming its firm resolve and capability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862857773566028/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.