Japan to deal 'invasive' jets with int'l standards

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Japan would react according to the established rules of the Self-Defense Forces and international standards when asked whether Japan will conduct warning shot towards Chinese plane yesterday.

Although his answer did not mention the Diaoyu Islands, it sparked the public opinion immediately. Onodera's words are interpreted by Asahi Shimbun as Japan's jets will fire tracer bullets to warn Chinese planes.

On Jan. 15, the reporter from Global Times confirmed from Japanese Defense Ministry that firing light tracers is included in the established rule of Japanese Self-Defense Forces. Light tracer is a signal of attack, said a Chinese expert who has flown planes before.

With the increasing tensity in Diaoyu Islands' dispute, are China and Japan moving toward a terrible war? Chinese military expert said that a modern warfare will not be triggered at once and China will not declare war because of a light tracer. But if Japan did so, China would not make concession.

On Jan. 16, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe kicked off his trip to Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia after taking office. Global media all associated his trip with the intense state of the Sino-Japanese relationship. They consider the purpose of this action as an attempt to contain China. Even some people in Japan shouted that they want to "encircle China."

But some officials of Japanese Foreign Ministry have tried to persuade Abe that containing China is impossible.

China on high alert for escalating tensions over the Diaoyu Islands

In response to media reports about Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera's tough stance toward China, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday that China is on high alert for Japan's escalating tensions over the Diaoyu Islands.

"China has taken note of relevant reports. The patrol conducted by China's public service ships and planes in waters and airspace of the islands is a normal performance of duty to exercise jurisdiction," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei said.

He also reiterated China's opposition to Japanese planes and vessels entering the waters and airspace of the Diaoyu Islands.

Relations between Japan and China have soured since the Japanese government said it would "purchase" part of the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea in 2012. China insists that the islands are part of its inherent territory.