Agency:agencies
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Tension in Asia has increased due to China’s aggressive activities in the South China Sea and East China Sea. Philippines said that three flares were fired at its surveillance aircraft from China-occupied Subi Reef. Meanwhile, Japan alleged that Chinese fighter jets conducted a dangerous ‘fire-control radar lock’ on its military aircraft near Okinawa. Both countries have lodged strong protests.
In Asia-Pacific, China played such a gamble on two fronts in a single day, due to which tension has suddenly increased in the entire region. First, three flares were fired from Chinese-held Subi Reef at a Philippine surveillance plane in the South China Sea, and just hours later, Japan alleged that Chinese warplanes locked fire-control radar on its military aircraft, a move considered a direct warning of a possible missile attack.
Warning or aggression to the Philippines?
According to the Philippines Coast Guard, the Cessna surveillance aircraft was on routine patrol when the flares were fired from Subi Reef. China did not react, but this is the same place where China has built artificial islands and deployed missiles in the last decade. The Philippines says the flight was completely legal, and the goal was only environmental and fishing monitoring. But the flare captured in the plane’s camera itself tells the seriousness of China’s ‘message’.
Radar lock on Japanese jet
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi claimed that Chinese fighters locked Japanese aircraft from radar near Okinawa, which is the most dangerous step before any military confrontation. Tokyo has lodged a strong protest with Beijing, calling it ‘the most serious incident in years’. Japan had recently clearly stated that if China took military action against Taiwan and it affected Japan’s security, Tokyo would respond. China is believed to be enraged by this.
Is China increasing pressure?
If we look at both the incidents together, the picture becomes clearer. China already keeps fighting with the Philippines in the South China Sea. Japan-China tensions are continuously increasing in the East China Sea and Taiwan Strait. China is giving a ‘simultaneous signal’ to its enemies that it is not going to back down. This incident is also going to increase the pressure on America. Philippines is its defense partner, while Japan is its largest Asian military base. But the special thing is that America has not yet made any public comment on Japan’s allegations.
