'Not conducive to regional peace...': US slams China after Chinese, Russian bombers fly past Japan amid tensions

'Not conducive to regional peace...': US slams China after Chinese, Russian bombers fly past Japan amid tensions

China Japan tensions

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The US has has spoken against China for endangering regional peace as China and Russia conducted joint air patrols near Japan and South Korea, prompting both nations to scramble jets. Tensions between Japan and China are at their worst in years

The United States has criticised China for the first time amid tesnions with Japan. In a statement, the US said that China's actions are endangering the “regional peace.” Highlighting that the US-Japan alliance are stronger tahn ever, the US also said that it is closely monitoring the situation.

"China's actions are not conducive to regional peace and stability," a State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday, referring to the radar incident. "The U.S.-Japan Alliance is stronger and more united than ever. Our commitment to our ally Japan is unwavering, and we are in close contact on this and other issues," it added.

The response from the US came after the Chinese military aircraft along with Russia conducted a coordinated air patrol close to South Korea and Japan. In response, Japan and South Korea scrambled their jets. Tokyo said that as many as seven Russian and two Chinese aircraft briefly entered South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone (KADIZ). Seoul lodged diplomatic protests and Tokyo warned that the repeated joint flights represent intensified military activity aimed at Japan, raising serious national security concerns. However, both Beijing and Moscow said that the drill was part of their yearly joint strategic patrols. This week, Japan also accused China of aiming fighter jets radar at Japanese military aircraft.

Also Read: Japan-China passenger ferry services halted, Takaichi faces protest in Tokyo as tensions rise - What's happening now

Japan and China tensions

Japan and China are locked in one of the worst diplomatic tussle in years. The escalation of tension raised fear of a potential war in the Asia-Pacific region. While Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi is not ready to take back her statement on Taiwan, China has gone all out to state that her remarks is dangerous for the 'sovereignty' of the Chinese.

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It all began with one statement by Takaichi on Nov 14. She was asked by an opposition lawmaker in parliament about “survival-threatening situations.” In response, Takaichi gave an example that an attempt to bring Taiwan completely under the control of Beijing using battleships and military force could constitute such a situation.

Also Read: China and Japan embroiled in major diplomatic war over Taiwan – What triggered it and what's happening now


Beijing reacted sharply to Takaichi's remark and increased its military activities and ramped up drills around Japan. It even took up to the matter to the UN, sending a formal letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres warning that any Japanese military move in the Taiwan Strait would be considered an act of aggression. China also cancelled planned meetings between culture ministers and issued notification advising Chinese nationals against visiting Japan. The international ferry Jian Zhen Hao operated by Japan-China International Ferry Co., that connects Shanghai with the western Japan cities of Kobe and Osaka, has stopped its services. Meanwhile, international community has urged for restraint from both sides and over a dozen Japanese scholars, including former government officials and media figures urged Takaichi to immediately retract her remarks on Taiwan.

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Navashree Nandini works as a senior sub-editor and has over five years of experience. She writes about global conflicts ranging from India and its neighbourhood to West Asia to the...Read More

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