Tensions Rise: Japan and Australia Respond to Chinese Military Provocation

Escalating Military Tensions in the Pacific

Tokyo: Japan and Australia called for restraint on Sunday following an incident where Chinese military aircraft locked radar onto Japanese fighter jets. This occurred shortly after remarks from Japan's Prime Minister regarding Taiwan heightened tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi expressed Japan's formal protest, labeling the incident as 'extremely regrettable' and 'dangerous,' stating it surpassed what is necessary for safe aircraft operations.

Koizumi mentioned, 'We have lodged a strong protest with the Chinese side and demanded strict preventive measures.'

According to Japan's Defence Ministry, a Chinese J-15 aircraft took off from the Liaoning carrier near Okinawa and intermittently locked its radar onto Japanese F-15 jets on two separate occasions on Saturday, once for about three minutes in the afternoon and again for approximately 30 minutes in the evening.

It remains unclear if the same J-15 was involved in both radar lock incidents.

Japanese fighter jets were deployed to monitor the Chinese aircraft, which were conducting takeoff and landing exercises in the Pacific, maintaining a safe distance without engaging in provocative actions, as reported by Kyodo News.

No breaches of Japanese airspace or injuries were reported during the incident.

Chinese navy spokesperson Senior Colonel Wang Xuemeng defended the flight training near Miyako Island, asserting that the exercises were announced in advance and accused Japanese aircraft of harassment.

Wang stated, 'We solemnly asked the Japanese side to immediately stop slandering and smearing, and strictly restrain its frontline actions. The Chinese Navy will take necessary measures in accordance with the law to resolutely safeguard its own security and legitimate rights and interests.'

Relations between Japan and China have deteriorated since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's comments in early November, suggesting Japan's military could intervene if China acted against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its territory.

During their scheduled talks in Tokyo, Japan and Australia expressed concern over the recent developments.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles stated, 'We are deeply concerned by the actions of China in the last 24 hours,' emphasizing the need for safe and professional interactions.

Marles reiterated that Australia does not wish to see any changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Straits, highlighting China's significance as Australia's largest trade partner.

He added, 'We continue to advocate to China about these issues again, in a very calm, sensible and moderate way.'

The two nations agreed to strengthen military cooperation during their discussions, aiming to enhance regional multilateral defence collaboration. They plan to establish a comprehensive framework for strategic defence coordination.

Japan is accelerating its military expansion while enhancing defence partnerships beyond its primary ally, the United States, now considering Australia as a semi-ally.

Marles also visited a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki on Saturday to observe the production of upgraded Mogami-class frigates, which Australia selected in September to replace its aging fleet.

This radar lock incident marks a significant escalation, being the first of its kind involving Japanese and Chinese military aircraft since a similar event in 2013 when a Chinese warship targeted a Japanese destroyer's radar.

Fighter jets utilize radars for search operations or fire control prior to missile launches.

In another incident in the Pacific, the Philippine coast guard reported that China fired three flares at a fisheries bureau plane patrolling the South China Sea, with Chinese forces using flares to warn planes away from what they consider their airspace over disputed waters.