China has firmly rejected Japan’s claims regarding recent aerial encounters, escalating a diplomatic dispute that has widened to include political, economic, and regional security dimensions. A spokesperson for the Chinese navy, Colonel Wang Xuemeng, stated that Japanese aircraft had repeatedly approached Chinese vessels as they carried out previously announced carrier-based flight training east of the Miyako Strait. According to Wang, the operations were routine and transparent, and China argued that Japan’s allegations of dangerous manoeuvres were unfounded and intended to mislead the international community. Beijing dismissed the statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi as slander, accusing Tokyo of attempting to portray China as an aggressor during what it described as lawful training activity.
The heightened rhetoric has coincided with new travel advisories issued by Chinese authorities, urging citizens to exercise caution when visiting Japan. China has also paused discussions on resuming Japanese seafood imports, a move that analysts interpret as part of the broader diplomatic pressure in response to growing tensions. Meanwhile, Taiwan reported observing Chinese maritime activity near the median line of the Taiwan Strait. Although it described the situation as stable, Taipei accused Beijing of engaging in psychological warfare by framing the exercises as humanitarian search-and-rescue operations. Taiwan also suggested that China’s language and tactics were designed to normalise military presence near its territory while avoiding direct escalation.
International reactions have varied. A public message of support for Japan was issued by the United States ambassador, yet senior officials in Washington, including President Trump, have not made formal statements. Sources familiar with diplomatic discussions said that Trump privately advised Japan to avoid further escalation following a conversation with China’s President Xi Jinping. The United States’ muted approach has drawn attention due to Trump’s frequent assertions of his role as a global peacemaker, prompting debate over Washington’s strategic calculations in the region.
Australia, however, took a more explicit position. Officials in Canberra voiced support for Japan and criticised China’s actions, emphasising the importance of maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific. During a meeting in Tokyo, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles reiterated their commitment to regional peace and stability. Koizumi stressed that Japan would respond resolutely yet calmly to Chinese conduct, reaffirming Tokyo’s stance that its actions were focused on safeguarding national security rather than provoking confrontation.
The latest tensions follow remarks made on November 14, when Prime Minister Takaichi was questioned in parliament about scenarios that could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” under Japan’s 2015 security legislation. The law defines such a circumstance as one in which an armed attack on a foreign nation closely aligned with Japan endangers Japan’s own survival and the rights of its citizens. In her response, Takaichi referenced a hypothetical attempt by Beijing to assert complete control over Taiwan through military force. The comment prompted an immediate and sharp reaction from Beijing, which called the example a direct challenge to its sovereignty and an unacceptable intrusion into what it considers internal affairs.
As diplomatic exchanges intensify, both sides appear keen to avoid a direct confrontation, yet the dispute has highlighted the fragility of regional security dynamics. Observers note that the combination of military manoeuvres, economic pressure, and political rhetoric underscores how quickly long-standing tensions in the Asia-Pacific can resurface, drawing in allies and complicating the strategic landscape for all parties involved.
