A large part of the 2015 version of the white paper is devoted to describing the so-called threats from China, including pictures of China’s lawful island constructions in the South China Sea, where Japan is not even a relevant party.
Advertisement
It calls China’s increased maritime activity in the South and East China Seas a dangerous act that could lead to an unforeseen incident.
The defense review had expressed worries that the platforms being built by China could also be used as monitoring stations near the islets.
The white paper argues that China “has been continuing activities seen as high-handed to alter the status quo by force and has attempted to materialize its unilateral claim without making compromises”.
Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said China’s frictions with the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea have been noted almost every month since January, allowing people to speculate every time China held a drill.
Japan on Tuesday slammed Beijing’s bid to reclaim land in the South China Sea as a “coercive attempt” to force sweeping maritime claims, in a defense paper that comes as Tokyo is expanding the role of its own military.
In the 400-plus page document, Japan demands China halts the construction of a new offshore platform in the East China Sea- a building that IT SAYS could be used for “military purposes”.
Japanese officials have released a public map and a set of aerial photos that shows China’s unilateral gas-platform development in the East China Sea.
This year’s white paper mentions a plan of deploying costal surveillance forces and amphibious motor troops to Yonaguni Island, which is only about 150 km from China’s Diaoyu Islands.
Coordination among India, Japan and the USA on security cooperation and economic ties are essential because they can fundamentally talk about how they can “shape China’s rise in a peaceful way”, said Nicholas Szechenyi, Deputy Director and Senior Fellow – Japan Chair at the Centre for Strategic & worldwide Studies (CSIS).
Whatever the reasons may be, Japan needs to take honest steps to improve confidence with Korea, or at least refrain from taking actions that would further provoke Koreans and worsen the bilateral relationship.
The report cites China’s rapid and large-scale reclamation of reefs in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, Japan’s NHK news portal reported.
“We solemnly urge Japan to stop causing tensions or provoking conflicts, and do more to contribute to regional peace and stability”, said Lu.
Advertisement
China’s Defense Ministry also expressed strong dissatisfaction over the White Paper. This shows the deep history behind the border dispute and the constant conflicting claims Japan and China have with each other.
