Is Asia On Verge Of New War? China Provokes India’s Ally, Sends Warships In Battle Formation | World News

China-Japan Tension: Asia is watching with bated breath as another potential conflict looms on the horizon. This time the tension is not between India and Pakistan, but between China and Japan. Diplomatic friction has reached its peak. Beijing has sent warships near a disputed island. The ships set off in battle formation, with Japanese forces following closely behind.

The China Coast Guard confirmed the move. “On Sunday, a group of Chinese Coast Guard ships carried out a legal patrol in the waters of the Senkaku Islands,” the statement said.

The patrol, described as an “enforcement operation”, passed through the disputed area.

The timing of the maneuver is remarkable. The friction escalated further after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned in Parliament on November 7 that Tokyo could respond militarily to any hypothetical Chinese attack on democratic Taiwan.

China reacted to the statement, saying it expected Takaichi to retract his remarks. China sees Taiwan as part of its territory and does not rule out using force to maintain control. Taiwan, just 110 km (68.35 miles) from Japanese territory, rejects Beijing’s claims to sovereignty.

China Coast Guard said, “CG Ship 1307 patrolled the waters of the Diaoyu Islands. This legal patrol was conducted to protect China’s rights and interests.”

The disputed islands administered by Japan are called Senkaku by Tokyo and Diaoyu by Beijing. In this area, both sides frequently confront each other.

Allegations that Chinese diplomats were provocative also increased tensions. Following Takaichi’s statement, Beijing’s trade envoy in Osaka said, “A rotten head needs to be cut off.”

Tokyo lodged a formal protest. Beijing summoned the Japanese ambassador for the first time in more than two years. China’s defense ministry warned that any Japanese intervention would fail.

This was followed by warnings to Chinese citizens. On Friday, Beijing advised its citizens not to travel to Japan. Tokyo called for “appropriate action” but gave few details. Three Chinese airlines later announced that tickets to Japan could be refunded or exchanged free of charge.

Military maneuvers near Taiwan have increased. Taiwan’s defense ministry reported Sunday morning that 30 Chinese military aircraft and seven navy ships were active near the island in the past 24 hours.

Late Saturday, the ministry said China was conducting another “joint combat patrol” to “disturb our airspace and waters.” Taiwan sent its own planes and ships to monitor the situation.

Taipei says such Chinese patrols occur twice a month. It describes the operations as part of a sustained military pressure campaign. The island’s government insists that only the people of Taiwan have the right to decide their own future.