“We must protect our country’s territorial sovereignty at all costs. And, we need to send our message that we will firmly defend our country,” he said.
Tensions in Different Areas
The contested waters between China, Japan, and Taiwan have been a source of tension for decades. The dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea is one of the most contentious issues in the region. However, it has become increasingly heated in recent years as all three countries have sought to assert their claims to the islands.
The dispute began with the Chinese Civil War when the defeated Nationalist (Kuomintang) government fled to Taiwan and declared it an independent nation. This led to a power struggle between China and Taiwan over who had sovereignty over the islands. Japan also laid claim to them, further complicating matters.
In recent years, tensions have risen significantly as all three countries have increased their presence in the region (most especially Japan). China has sent its coast guard vessels into disputed waters and conducted military exercises near the islands. Japan has responded by increasing its military presence in the area and strengthening its ties with Taiwan.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry informed CNN that their Coast Guard’s activities around the islands were “a legitimate demonstration of China’s sovereign right.”
The political situation was further complicated when Nancy Pelosi, US House Speaker, traveled to Taiwan last year, which incited a strong reaction from Beijing, who began intensifying military drills in the area.
China has been intensifying its air activity near Taiwan by frequently dispatching military aircraft into the air defense identification zone (ADIZ). This has caused Taipei to send up fighter planes, broadcast radio alerts, and employ their anti-aircraft missile systems.
Japan has now dispatched its fighter jets in reaction to Chinese aircraft coming near Japan’s airspace.
The situation is now critical as all sides are unwilling to back down from their claims. If left unresolved, this dispute could lead to a confrontation between China, Japan, and Taiwan in the near future. All three countries must find a way to peacefully resolve this issue before it escalates any further.
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