Japan scrambles jets after Chinese aircraft ‘violates’ airspace
- August 27, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Japan scrambles jets after Chinese aircraft ‘violates’ airspace
Sub: IR
Sec: Places in news
Context:
- Japan’s Defence Ministry said that a Chinese aircraft violated its territorial airspace off the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture. The incursion lasted for two minutes.
- Japan deployed fighter jets and issued warning in response.
- Also, China recently had a confrontation with Philippine near the disputed Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.
Implications:
- Multiple confrontations have taken place in recent days between China and its neighbours. This has led to escalation of tensions in the region.
- Increased military activity in the region could affect trade as it can disrupt global supply chains.
Background of the issue:
- China’s growing economic and military clout in the Asia-Pacific region and its assertiveness in territorial disputes, particularly Taiwan, has alarmed US and its allies including Japan.
- Recently, Japan increased defence spending and eased rules on arms exports.
- Japan has been providing funding and equipment to countries across the region and agreed on a deal with the Philippines allowing troop deployments on each other’s soil.
- Japan also made efforts at reconciliation of ties with South Korea.
- Japan is also part of the Quad alliance with the US, Australia and India, a grouping seen as a counterbalance to China’s influence in the region.
Senkaku islands:
- Japan and China have a long-standing dispute over the Senkaku islands
- It is group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan, which refer to them as Diaoyu Dao and Diaoyutai, respectively.
- The islands are close to strategically important shipping lanes, offer potential oil and natural gas resources, and are situated in rich fishing areas.
Danjo Islands:
- The Danjo Islands, the site of the latest incident, are a group of small islets also located in the East China Sea off Japan’s Nagasaki region.
Sabina shoal:
- Sabina shoal is a disputed atoll in the Spratly Islands of South China sea, claimed by China, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam
- The shoal is located 140 km west of the Philippine Island of Palawan and about 1,200 km from Hainan Island, China’s nearest major landmass.