US backs Japan over radar dispute, China accuses Japan of disrupting air drill
發佈日期: 2025-12-10 22:46
TVB News
The United States has thrown support for Japan in its dispute with China over Saturday's radar incident.
This as the Chinese navy released audio evidence showing their Japanese counterpart fully acknowledged the air drills conducted by the Liaoning carrier.
The Foreign Ministry reiterated today that China's exercise fully complies with international law.
The radar lock-on in the seas east of the Miyako Strait last week was one of the most serious run-ins between the two militaries in years.
The Chinese aircraft has been accused of directing a radar beam at Japanese military aircrafts near Okinawa islands, a move that Tokyo blasted as "dangerous."
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said in the first comment by the Trump administration on the row that China's actions were "not conducive" to regional peace and stability.
He added, "The U.S.-Japan Alliance is stronger and more united than ever. Our commitment to our ally Japan is unwavering, and we are in close contact on this and other issues."
Speaking in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun clarified China's exercise in relevant waters and airspace are in accordance with international law and practice.
"Our maneuvers are professional, standard, and beyond reproach," Guo stated. To activate search radar during flight training is commonly done by carrier-based aircraft of all countries.
He suggested that journalists ask the Japanese side why their jets come to those areas to "deliberately" harass China's normal exercise and stir up tensions.
Social media account "Yuyuantantian" earlier released audio communications between a China Navy warship and a Japanese Self-Defense Forces aircraft.
It reported an advance notice of the planned training was given by the Chinese side Saturday afternoon. Nevertheless, the SDF aircraft still conducted close-in reconnaissance and disruptions, at one point inching less than 50 kilometres away.
Sources say the Chinese jet also detected radar signals from Japanese aircraft but remained restrained.
Japan's defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi refuted that their jets did not aim radar at Chinese aircraft.
Koizumi said it was natural for Japan to scramble jets as part of air defence measures regardless of the notification from the Chinese navy vessel.
