With two fairly new powers in control, the conflict between Japan and China continues to escalate. The US has confirmed they are backing Japan, while urging that the two neighbors talk to avoid collision. Vice President Biden’s planned trip to China to discuss trade has been placed on the back burner, as he spends his time there trying to defuse the conflict of controlled airspace. Biden attempts to appease Japan, yet avoids the request that China roll back their new air zone. Instead, he asks that China not extend it any further out. (Perlez, 2013)
The US showed their support of Japan last week when a couple B-52’s entered China’s declared air-zone without notification to prove that our military would ignore it. Japan has demanded all air traffic ignore China’s declared air zone, and felt the US was sending mixed signals by suggesting passenger air carriers abide by it to avoid any miscommunication. (Pasztor, 2013) The US government would prefer passenger planes fly as opposed to fall from the sky.
With China scrambling the airwaves of aircraft that enter their defense zone, Japan has taken to the more Kamikaze approach. South Korea is choosing this same approach in response to China’s new air zone. They may not be aiming their planes at specific targets, but it’s a suicide mission all the same when there is no communication to avoid another crafts flight path.
China blames Japan for the establishment of this new defense air-zone. There’s been an ongoing dispute for several decades over a territory of uninhibited islands. Japan refuses to acknowledge that the territory is disputed, and went so far as to purchase the islands from a private seller in 2012. According to Japan, there can be no dispute when you own it. China’s defense air-zone that covers the sky above these islands is meant as a reminder to Japan that there is still a dispute. (Perlez J. , 2013)
The trade between these two nations is hurting from their current relations, as well as those of their allies. Is the US ready to take a hammer to that piggy bank? While the B-52’s presented no sky writing, they sent a message that for safety or attack these skies don’t belong to China.
Works Cited
Pasztor, Y. H. (2013, 12 01). Japan, U.S. at Odds Over China's Air Zone. Retrieved 12 04, 2013, from The Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303562904579230894060384128
Perlez, J. (2013, 12 02). Chinese Leader's Rise Came With New Attention to Dispute With Japan. Retrieved 02 04, 2013, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/world/asia/chinese-leaders-rise-came-with-new-attention-to-dispute-with-japan.html?pagewanted=1
Perlez, M. L. (2013, 12 03). Biden Backs Ally Japan but Avoids Roiling China. Retrieved 12 04, 2013, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/04/world/asia/biden-in-japan-calibrates-message-over-tensions-with-china.html?_r=0
The US showed their support of Japan last week when a couple B-52’s entered China’s declared air-zone without notification to prove that our military would ignore it. Japan has demanded all air traffic ignore China’s declared air zone, and felt the US was sending mixed signals by suggesting passenger air carriers abide by it to avoid any miscommunication. (Pasztor, 2013) The US government would prefer passenger planes fly as opposed to fall from the sky.
With China scrambling the airwaves of aircraft that enter their defense zone, Japan has taken to the more Kamikaze approach. South Korea is choosing this same approach in response to China’s new air zone. They may not be aiming their planes at specific targets, but it’s a suicide mission all the same when there is no communication to avoid another crafts flight path.
China blames Japan for the establishment of this new defense air-zone. There’s been an ongoing dispute for several decades over a territory of uninhibited islands. Japan refuses to acknowledge that the territory is disputed, and went so far as to purchase the islands from a private seller in 2012. According to Japan, there can be no dispute when you own it. China’s defense air-zone that covers the sky above these islands is meant as a reminder to Japan that there is still a dispute. (Perlez J. , 2013)
The trade between these two nations is hurting from their current relations, as well as those of their allies. Is the US ready to take a hammer to that piggy bank? While the B-52’s presented no sky writing, they sent a message that for safety or attack these skies don’t belong to China.
Works Cited
Pasztor, Y. H. (2013, 12 01). Japan, U.S. at Odds Over China's Air Zone. Retrieved 12 04, 2013, from The Wall Street Journal: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303562904579230894060384128
Perlez, J. (2013, 12 02). Chinese Leader's Rise Came With New Attention to Dispute With Japan. Retrieved 02 04, 2013, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/03/world/asia/chinese-leaders-rise-came-with-new-attention-to-dispute-with-japan.html?pagewanted=1
Perlez, M. L. (2013, 12 03). Biden Backs Ally Japan but Avoids Roiling China. Retrieved 12 04, 2013, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/04/world/asia/biden-in-japan-calibrates-message-over-tensions-with-china.html?_r=0
