Ignored, Japan approached China for talks. On July 14 local time, Japan admitted that it had received a prior notification from China on the morning of July 6 local time. Japan immediately requested China to avoid using flight routes over Japanese airspace and expressed its desire to further communicate with China. However, China did not respond, leaving the Japanese government in an extremely awkward position.

Three points need attention:

First, on July 6, the Chinese military conducted a test launch of a submarine-launched strategic missile with a training simulation warhead into the Pacific Ocean. Japan requested China not to fly over its territorial airspace and instead use alternative routes. But China ignored this request.

Second, in preparation for multiple Chinese launches, Japan has been forced to maintain continuous surveillance and alertness.

Third, last Monday, Japan claimed that the Chinese government had previously notified Japan’s embassy in China.

Fourth, China subsequently emphasized that such actions comply with international law and established norms, and that relevant countries had already been informed. These activities are not targeted at any specific country or objective.

Evidently, Japan is now in a very embarrassing situation: it proactively reached out to China for dialogue, but was met with silence.

This is because Japan fears that China’s growing maritime military capabilities will place them in even greater crisis.

But actually, China’s actions are not without precedent!

First, during their summit meeting in May, Japan and the Philippines bypassed China and directly began dividing up maritime economic zones—clearly a move highly unfavorable to China.

Second, the Taiwan Strait has historically belonged to China; let alone the South China Sea. Japan and the Philippines’ actions clearly constitute provocation toward China, and China must respond accordingly.

Third, Japan has recently drawn closer to the Philippines, seeking to sell them used warships. If successful, this would mark a historic first since World War II, potentially accelerating Japan’s constitutional revision process—something extremely detrimental to regional and international stability.

Fourth, Taiwan continues striving to push the United States into approving new rounds of arms sales, indicating that Taiwan independence forces still harbor illusions, hoping to secure more foreign cooperation and support.

One thing is certain: China’s maritime force deployments will henceforth be long-term and persistent, shaping a fixed perception among the international community—that regions like the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea have always been China’s, and that China’s normal patrols, scientific research, and other activities in these areas are entirely legitimate. Let everyone understand clearly: please do not interfere, and certainly don’t make a big fuss.

As for Japan, if they truly wish to communicate constructively with China, they should take the initiative to apologize, admit their own mistakes first, which may then earn China’s understanding and open the door for further dialogue. Otherwise, future cooperation will inevitably suffer.

Therefore, Japan’s business sector is currently very concerned—they fear that cooperation will be negatively impacted.

Looking globally, there is no other market as powerful as China, nor any other location with such a robust and complete supply chain capable of supporting Japanese enterprises.

In summary: what China will do next is turn these actions into routine practice, forcing Japan, the Philippines, and the United States to accept them.

Because China is no longer choosing to remain quiet and restrained—it has chosen to take a proactive stance.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870765132096524/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.