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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takachi vowed to “respond” after Tokyo summoned Beijing’s ambassador to protest over the incident in which Chinese fighter planes reportedly aimed their radar at Japanese military aircraft, deepening the dispute between the two countries.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi An emergency press conference just after 2 a.m. Sunday said China had committed a “dangerous act” near Japan. Okinawa islands and vowed to respond “firmly and peacefully”.
China disputed this statement and said the navy was conducting training exercises in the area, and accused Japanese aircraft of “harassment”.
Japan And China The recriminations came after a military standoff broke out on Saturday over international waters southeast of the main island of Okinawa, an area close to islands claimed by both China and Japan.
The Japanese Defense Ministry said it recorded two separate incidents when a Chinese J-15 fighter jet locked its fire-control radar onto a Japanese F-15. The first incident occurred at 4.32 pm on Saturday and again about two hours later.
Fire-control radar lock is one of the most dangerous actions taken by a military aircraft, signaling a possible attack and forcing the targeted aircraft to take evasive measures.
“This radar lock-on incident is a dangerous act that exceeds the scope required for the safe flight of the aircraft,” Mr. Koizumi said in a statement at the emergency meeting.
“We view the occurrence of such an incident with utmost regret, and we have lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side, demanding strict measures to prevent any recurrence.”
According to the ministry, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Funakoshi Takehiro called China’s Ambassador Wu Jianghao to “strongly protest that such dangerous acts are extremely regrettable”.
However, a Chinese military spokesman said Japan was allegedly interfering with training operations east of the Miyako Strait, and called on Tokyo to stop its smear campaign against Beijing.
People’s Liberation Army Navy spokesman Wang Xuemeng said the CNS Liaoning aircraft carrier group was part of pre-announced maritime and air exercises east of the Miyako Strait.
Mr Wang said in a statement on Sunday, “We solemnly ask the Japanese side to immediately stop slander and defamation and strictly restrain its advance actions. The Chinese Navy will take necessary measures in accordance with law to firmly safeguard its security and legitimate rights and interests.”
He said Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft were “repeatedly approaching and disrupting” the carrier group’s training areas, which “seriously affected normal operations and posed a serious threat to flight safety”.
Relations between China and Japan have seen a sharp decline since November after Ms. Takaichi Told the Japanese Parliament that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo. China reacted angrily, accusing Ms Takachi of crossing a “red line” and demanding her withdrawal.
Ms Takaichi said Japan had to “anticipate the worst” in its right to collective self-defence across the Taiwan Strait, comments that prompted US President Donald Trump to urge the Japanese leader to avoid making statements that could damage relations with China.
Although it has refused to withdraw its statement, Beijing has launched diplomatic, trade and economic retaliation. This includes Beijing’s ban on Japanese seafood entering China and sending military and coast guard vessels to the disputed Senkaku Islands.
Ms Takaichi said on Sunday the latest incident was “extremely regrettable”.
“We will respond calmly and firmly,” he said during his visit to Ishikawa Prefecture, vowing to make maximum efforts in conducting surveillance operations around Japanese waters and airspace, while keeping a close eye on Chinese military activity around Japan.
“Japan strongly opposes the Chinese side and we strongly request measures to prevent a recurrence,” he said.
Australia expressed concern over Chinese actions and urged peace from both sides.
“We are deeply concerned by China’s actions over the last 24 hours,” Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said at a joint news conference on Sunday after talks with Mr Koizumi. “We expect these interactions to be safe and professional.”
“Australia does not want to see any change to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait,” Mr Marles said. He said China is his country’s largest trading partner and he wants to have productive relations with Beijing.
“We will again continue to advocate to China on these issues in a very calm, sensible and measured manner,” he said.
Saturday’s radar lock is believed to be the first to involve Japanese and Chinese military aircraft. In 2013, a Chinese warship targeted radar at a Japanese destroyer, Kyodo said.