A Chinese Tu-154. (Photo/JASDF)
A Tu-154 electronic warfare aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force and a Y-12 utility aircraft of China's State Oceanic Administration entered the Japanese air defense identification zone (ADIZ) simultaneously on Feb. 21, according to the state-run China News Service.
The Japanese defense ministry first reported on Friday that a Chinese Tu-154 was detected near the border of its ADIZ while another aircraft, the Y-12, flew into the zone and was spotted 140 kilometers away from the disputed Diaoyutai islands (Senkaku to Japan, Diaoyu to China). The F-15J fighters of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force were scrambled to intercept the intruding aircraft, the ministry said.
Observers say Tu-154 may have been deployed to the Diaoyutai region on a recon mission.
Tensions remain high between the two nations since Japan, which controls the contested islands, nationalized three of the five islands through purchases from private owners in September 2012 — a move condemned by Beijing as an illegal appropriation of Chinese territory. Following the Peace Mission 2013, a joint anti-terrorism military exercise with Russia, China has launched a number of drills to simulate an amphibious assault to take the islands.
Meanwhile, James Fannell, the director of the US Pacific Fleet's Intelligence and Information Operations said that China has the potential to launch a sudden "blitzkrieg" type strike.
China has continued to deploy vessels and aircraft to the Japanese exclusive economic zone and ADIZ to challenge its administration over the area.
Credit to China Times
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