Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
China declared not afraid of war with Japan to seize the Senkaku Islands claimed by Beijing in the East China Sea.
Lieutenant General He Lei, former vice president of the Military Science Academy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), said in an interview with Kyodo News that the Bamboo Curtain country actually did not want to go to war with Japan. However, Beijing is also “not afraid” of armed conflict in the future.
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As reported by The Japan TimesHe Lei criticized Tokyo for purchasing the Senkaku Islands from private Japanese hands.
According to him, Tokyo should not underestimate the “strong will, determination and strength” of the Chinese military to safeguard national sovereignty, safety and integrity.
“[China] firmly protect its national territory, sovereignty and maritime interests [jika Jepang melanjutkan provokasi],”kata He Lei.
This is a rare indication from a senior Chinese military officer about the possibility of war on the Senkaku Islands or what China usually calls Diaoyu.
This region has been under Japanese control since Sakura Country’s nationalization of the islands in 2012.
The Senkaku Islands themselves are contested because they are part of Taiwan, an archipelago that China also claims as its own.
According to He Lei, the issue surrounding Taiwan is one of the factors destabilizing China-Japan relations. He also warned Japan not to “interfere with China’s basic interests” because it was a “purely domestic matter” for his country.
When asked whether China could launch simultaneous attacks to seize Taiwan and other islands, He Lei said such a scenario was in line with their principles.
He also suggested that Japan leave the matter to “the wisdom of future generations.”
“We, future generations, should be able to resolve disputes, but Japan took provocative actions,” he said.
Tensions between China and Japan have never died down over the years since the war between the two countries broke out.
China often sends ships into Japanese waters around the uninhabited Senkaku Islands.
Last weekend, the two countries even accused each other of maritime attacks after their coastguards had confrontations around the disputed islands.
On Sunday, China’s coast guard said a Japanese fishing boat and several patrol boats intruded into the waters around the Senkaku Islands.
China also said it took necessary steps in accordance with the law to warn the Japanese ships.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, Japan’s coast guard said two Chinese maritime patrol vessels left Japanese territorial waters around the islands after receiving warnings.
Japan claims to have deployed patrol boats to protect their fishing vessels when approached by Chinese vessels.
Incidents of “clashes” of this kind have occurred frequently, including in November and October.
(blq/bac)
[Gambas:Video CNN]
2023-12-12 13:00:20
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