China's first ever invasion of Japan's airspace happened just weeks ago,
but the move appears to becoming a routine addition to the burgeoning
standoff.
The AFP now reports:
Japan scrambled fighter
jets on Saturday to head off a Chinese state-owned plane that flew near
islands at the centre of a dispute between Tokyo and Beijing, a
Japanese Defense Ministry spokesman said.
The Japanese jets were
mobilized after a Chinese maritime aircraft ventured some 120 kilometres
(74 miles) north of the Senkaku islands, which China calls the Diaoyus,
at around 12:00 pm (0300 GMT), the spokesman said. The Chinese Y-12
twin-turboprop later left the zone without entering Japanese airspace
over the islands, he added. It was the first time Japanese fighter jets
had been scrambled this year to counter Chinese aircraft approaching the
islands, the spokesman said.
This second round of confrontation in the skies comes after Japan dispatched eight fighter jets last month after provocations in the same region of the South China Sea.
As Taiwan also lays claims to the islet, and
its supposed billions in oil and gas deposits, China's increasing its
presence and also backing its claims by sending the newest warship it
has to the region.
The Taiwan-owned China Times reports
the Liuzhou Type 054A warship entered the South China Sea Fleet of
China's PLA Navy just days ago, making it the sixth 054 warship in the area.
Though the Type 054A is not a new design, this most recently commissioned vessel will have the latest technological advantages.
From China Times:
Liuzhou is currently
considered one of China's most advanced surface combat Type 054A
vessels. It has a stealthy hull design with sloped surfaces and radar
absorbent materials. Equipped with a medium-range air defense missile
system, the vessel is capable of destroying air targets at a distance up
to 50 km. Although it is not as lethal as the Russian-built Sovremenny
class and domestic destroyers, the new frigate still serves well as a
multi-role warship in the Chinese fleet.
Among all 16 frigates
in the same class and currently in the service of the PLA Navy, Liuzhou
is the newest addition. Since Liuzhou is commanded by the South Sea
Fleet, which is based in Zhanjiang of Guangdong province, analysts
believe that its primary mission is to protect Chinese interests in the
disputed South China Sea. The mainland and five other countries —
Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei — have competing
claims to the region's islands and atolls.
The Liuzhou's deployment comes days after the U.S. vowed to increase its military presence in the Philippines and China's ensuing outrage over the decision.
The warship carries an array of sophisticated weapons including anti-submarine ordnance and stealth features allowing it to evade radar and move undetected.
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