BEIJING: A squadron of Chinese navy ships sailed through the straits near Japan this week into the western Pacific, while Beijing on Friday criticized Tokyo’s adoption of a new national security strategy largely as a result of perceived threats. Was making himself more aggressive. China. The destroyers Lhasa and Kaifeng, and a replenishment ship, sailed through the Osumi Strait in southern Japan, while a Dongdiao-class surveillance ship with hull number 796 sailed through the Miyako Strait south of Okinawa, which by Thursday would be in western Japan. reached the Pacific region. Japan’s Ministry of Defense stated that the craft was closely shadowed by Japanese ships and aircraft the entire time. The Communist Party newspaper Global Times cited unnamed experts as saying on Friday that the mission ‘sent a signal’ amid Japan’s recent militaristic moves that are threatening the People’s Liberation of China in safeguarding China’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests. Will showcase the capabilities of the Army”.
China regularly sends warships through the straits between the Japanese islands, even as it opposes the presence of foreign naval vessels in the Taiwan Strait. All are classified as international waters.
ALSO READ: China urges India to ‘strictly control’ and ‘control’ frontline troops after Tawang clash
Late last month, Russian and Chinese strategic bombers flew over the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea during an eight-hour mission in a display of increasingly close defense ties between the two countries. Faced with challenges from North Korea, China and Russia, Japan on Friday adopted a national security strategy and announced it plans to have preemptive strike capability and cruise missiles within years.
The strategy has named China as the ‘greatest strategic challenge’ to Japan’s efforts to ensure peace, security and stability for itself and the international society.
Japan’s post-World War II policy prioritized economic development while keeping its defenses light, relying on American troops stationed in Japan under its bilateral security agreement.
But experts say China’s growing influence, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and fears of a Taiwan emergency have prompted many Japanese to favor increased capacity and spending. Captured most of China more than 75 years ago.
Japan plans to spend 5 trillion yen (US$37 billion) to deploy standoff missiles developed abroad as early as 2026, including Lockheed Martin’s Tomahawk and the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, while Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industry develops a surface-to-ship. guided missile.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin reiterated the accusation that Japan was “ignoring facts, deviating from its commitment to Sino-Japanese relations and the common understanding between the two countries, and defaming China”. “The so-called China threat to find an excuse for its military build-up is destined to fail,” Wang told a daily news briefing.