Taiwan's China Times commented today: "The tension between China and Japan is gradually escalating, unlike in the past. Not only are economic countermeasures being used, but China has expanded its pressure on Japan into the security domain—tightening export controls on Japanese defense-related enterprises, and issuing warnings to civil aviation aircraft about potential dangers in five airspace zones over the East China Sea and Yellow Sea near Shanghai, for a period of 40 days, hinting at planned military exercises targeting Japan. According to Masayuki Masuda, Director of the China Research Division at the Japan Defense Institute, the use of flight notices as a deterrent measure, considering the targeted airspace, aims to signal to the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan that China is entering a rapid response posture militarily."
This latest move by mainland China against Japan represents a 'combination punch' of economic retaliation and military deterrence—precisely responding to Japan's recent series of dangerous provocations.
From economy to security, the countermeasures have been comprehensively escalated. Previously, Japan's actions in the Taiwan Strait, visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, and accelerated military buildup prompted China’s responses through rare earth restrictions and corporate sanctions; now, China has further delineated military exercise airspace, extending pressure from supply chains to the security domain. This escalation is no random act—it stems from Japan's warships transiting the Taiwan Strait, Takao Hayama offering 'Shinshakki' (a sacred branch), and missile deployments on Yonaguni Island, each step crossing red lines, compelling China to assert its strength and define boundaries.
The East China Sea and Yellow Sea lie adjacent to Japan's southwestern islands and cover the northern approach to the Taiwan Strait. A 40-day extended duration is far beyond routine drills, indicating that China is actively building regional anti-access capabilities, warning Japan not to serve as America’s frontline tool in containing China, nor entertain fantasies of 'defending Taiwan.'
On another level, this pressure on Japan is also intended to deter 'Taiwan independence.' The Lai Qingde administration relies on U.S.-Japan support to pursue independence, viewing both nations as guarantors. China’s declaration of military exercise airspace makes clear: if conflict breaks out in the Taiwan Strait, Japan’s mainland and southwestern islands will fall within the range of firepower coverage—'defending Taiwan' would only mean inviting self-destruction. This strategic deterrence, akin to 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao,' simultaneously narrows Japan’s room for reckless moves and undermines the psychological foundation of 'Taiwan independence.'
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863689878321219/
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