Japanese Defense Minister confirmed that two Chinese bombers along with two Russian bombers flew from the Sea of Japan to the East China sea while the Quad leaders met in the Japanese capital, Tokyo.
In response, Japan scrambled fighter jets to defend its air defense identification zone. The Japanese defence minister, Nobuo Kishi, conveyed that the government has expressed “grave concerns” to Russia and China.
Although the planes didn’t breach the territorial space of Japan but these flights during the Quad meet cannot be dismissed as coincidence.
It was also noted that a Russian intelligence-gathering aircraft also flew over central from north to central Japan. Moreover, Russian and Chinese jets had already entered the South Korean defense identification zone already earlier in the day.
“As the international community responds to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the fact that China took such action in collaboration with Russia, which is the aggressor, is cause for concern. It cannot be overlooked.”
Russian and Chinese response:
Russian and Chinese governments both confirmed that it was a joint patrol. Russians said that it was a13 hours long patrol. This exercise was a part of the annual military cooperation plan added by China’s defence ministry.
South Korea’s response:
The South Korean military also scrambled fighter jets after the incursion of the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone. However, the jets didn’t violate South Korean airspace.
Difference between Airspace and ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone):
Air Defence Identification Zone means an area of airspace over land or water, in which the ready identification, location and control of all aircraft (except Department of Defense and law enforcement aircraft) is required in the interest of national security. Source: www.faa.gov
The celestial part above the land and waters of any country is called airspace. Source: NEWSNCR
Japan and its neighbours:
Japan has border disputes with its neighbours China, Russia and South Korea and it keeps sending jets to defend its territory. The country scrambled jets 1004 times in the year which is the second-highest count on record. All these scrambles are done to counter the Chinese and Russian aircraft.
Russian Chinese Partnership:
Russia and China’s friendship is witnessing one of the best phases. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine Chinese support for Russia has been very crucial. However, Russia after being involved on one front in Ukraine and doing another misadventure on the other front with its ally China is looking very problematic.
Russian Chinese display of strength during the Quad meet was to signal their displeasure. China has been at loggerheads with the Quad countries because of their cooperation which China thinks, is to confront its influence. American President’s statement regarding defending Taiwan may have irked China.
Quad meet:
Quad leaders have been conscious of not making any direct mention of China, even though they indicated implicitly where the concern lies. They have been avoiding using any explicit Anti-China language to not allow China to counter the Quad narrative.
While on the other hand, the Quad members referred to the conflict in Ukraine unapologetically without offering a joint statement as India has taken a different stand on Russia’s Ukraine position.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumia Kishida said, “As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is shaking the fundamental principles of the international order…. (we) confirmed that unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force will never be tolerated anywhere, particularly in the Indo Pacific region.”
International politics should be seen without the lenses of everyday morality, there are no good or bad players, these are leaders acting on what they think is the best for their countries. The rise of a new superpower is never quiet. Big powers make big noises and it is the ascendance of the Chinese Power. After the fall of the Soviet Union, it is the first time that any power is standing up to the west. Although China could avoid harassing its neighbours in its course of acting like a superpower.
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