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The tension between China and Japan regarding Taiwan has increased so much that Beijing is openly saying that it is ready for war. Japan announced the deployment of missiles near Taiwan, on which China issued a strong threat. Experts are warning that even a small mistake can push the two countries directly into war. If the conflict escalates due to the US-Japan security treaty, then even America and Russia can jump into it.
Tension between China and Japan regarding Taiwan is continuously increasing. The situation is such that due to a small mistake the entire East Asia can be thrown into the fire of war. The matter flared up when Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi clearly said that if China tries to occupy Taiwan, her country will take military action. This statement angered Beijing so much that it immediately summoned the Japanese ambassador and advised Chinese citizens to avoid traveling to Japan. After this the conflict escalated further. Japan announced to move forward with the plan to deploy missiles on Yonaguni Island, located very close to Taiwan. China described it as a ‘deliberate attempt to create tension in the region and provoke a military confrontation’ and warned that if Japan crosses the line, it will have to pay a ‘painful price’.
What are experts saying on China-Japan tension?
According to the report of The Sun, researcher Ashok Swain says that this situation is very dangerous. Both the countries are standing with their swords drawn and political rhetoric is making the atmosphere more inflammable. According to him, a small accident or in other words, there are three ways that can instigate a war between the two. Firstly, there is a collision between fighter planes or a pilot takes a wrong step. The second step is that a collision between ships at sea can start a war. The third way is for Japan to deploy missiles near China. A small ‘misunderstanding’ conflict took place on the Marco Polo Bridge in 1937, which opened the door to the entire Sino-Japanese War.
What is China’s red line?
Swain says that the most serious warning to China would be if Japan deploys missiles around Taiwan or any part of it. China will consider this step as the beginning of a direct war and will respond immediately. Japan has already prepared to send medium-range surface-to-air missiles to Yonaguni Island, which is just 107 km from Taiwan. Japan argues that this will reduce the risk of any possible attack in the region, but China considers it a direct threat to its security.
Japan also became aggressive
According to analysts, Japan, with the support of America, is increasing its military strength so openly for the first time since World War II. After the arrival of new PM Takaichi, Tokyo is challenging China by becoming more aggressive and confident. This is the reason why Beijing has accused Japan of ‘provoking the Chinese dragon’ and has even released threatening military videos, in which the clear message is that China is ready if war breaks out today.
Will China-Japan war lead to Third World War?
Donald Trump has not directly intervened in the dispute between Japan and China over Taiwan, but his Ambassador to Japan George Glass has said that America supports Tokyo in the face of China’s ‘coercion’. Experts say that if China and Japan clash, America will be involved from the beginning because it has a security agreement with Japan. Under which America will have to protect Japan if it is attacked. Major military bases of America are present in Japan. If Chinese missiles or attacks reach near these bases, it will be mandatory for America to jump into war. And when America jumps, Western countries, especially Europe, will stand with it.
On the other hand, Russia can support China because of its long-term strategic partnership. There may not be a formal defense treaty, but the Russia-China alliance has become so strong in the last years that Putin will be seen standing with China directly or indirectly. Putin may even try to open another front in Europe to divide the West.
