A Chinese military think tank has warned of military clashes with Japan over the disputed Diaoyu Islands.
New Delhi, May 30/Nationalturk – A Chinese military think tank has said Asia-Pacific region has become “new global center” for geopolitical and military competition and warned of military clashes with Japan over the disputed Diaoyu Islands.
According to Chinese newspaper, Global Times, annual report (Strategic Review 2012) released by Center for National Defense Policy (CNDP) of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has stated that Asia-Pacific has become the new global geopolitical, economic and military center.
It said the big powers have intensified their efforts for regional dominance and United States has accelerated its eastward shift of its strategic focus. “Amidst the strategic competition among big powers, the fierce oceanic competition and frequent regional conflicts, the complexity, sensitivity and uncertainty of China’s security environment loom large.”
It warned that a military clash with Japan could happen if the dispute escalates, saying the confrontation between the two countries over disputed Diaoyu Islands in East China Sea may extend from the sea to the air.
The report further cautioned that row will not only seriously jeopardize Sino-Japanese relations, but would also threaten regional stability.
The report came amid the latest flare-up in China’s row with Japan over the disputed Diaoyu Islands in East China Sea.
Security situation around China complex
“The security situation around China has become complex and uncertain due to US ‘Asia-Pivot’ strategy and increasing territorial disputes,” said Shen Shishun, executive director of the Asia-Pacific research center with China Foundation of International Studies.
Stating that shift of the US strategy targets China, he said, “US wants to stir up disputes in the region to offset China’s growing economic and political clout in the Asia-Pacific region”.
“While the US has repeatedly said it does not pick sides between China and Japan over the Diaoyu row, it at the same time claimed that the Diaoyu Islands fall within the scope of Article 5 of the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security,” Shen said.
He warned that this is a dangerous game that could spiral out of control and finally hurt the US.
A researcher with PLA Academy of Military Sciences Liu Lin was quoted as saying by China Radio International that risk is high as Japanese fighter jets and vessels often ‘track and harass’ Chinese maritime surveillance aircraft and ships in the area.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk China News
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