China and Russia Form Joint Front in Territorial Dispute with Japan
Chinese and Russian Warships Simultaneously Enter Senkaku Islands Contiguous Zone, Military Pressure
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese and Russian warships simultaneously entered the contiguous zone of the Senkaku Islands (Chinese name Diaoyu Islands), an international disputed maritime area. This is the first time since 2016 that Chinese and Russian warships have simultaneously entered the contiguous zone of the Senkaku Islands. As Japan actively joined the United States in imposing economic sanctions on Russia, China and Russia appear to be jointly pressuring Japan.
China's state-run Global Times reported on the 5th that at around 7:05 a.m. on the 4th, a Russian frigate entered the Japanese contiguous zone southwest of Uotsurijima in the Senkaku Islands. The media also cited Japan's Kyodo News, reporting that at around 7:44 a.m., a Chinese warship also sailed through the same zone. It added that Japan protested to China.
The contiguous zone is an area between territorial waters and international waters where military surveillance activities can be conducted to prepare against territorial water intrusion.
Regarding this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press briefing the previous day, "Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory," and "Maritime activities of Chinese vessels in Chinese territory are legal, and Japan has no right to protest to China."
It is common for Chinese coast guard vessels to enter the contiguous zone of the Senkaku Islands, but it is unusual for warships to do so. Especially entering simultaneously with a Russian warship is interpreted as a de facto show of force against Japan.
The Chinese warship that entered the contiguous zone is known to be a Type 053H3 (Jiangwei II class) frigate armed with YJ-18 anti-ship missiles and HHQ-7 naval air defense missiles.
Tian Tian, director of the China International Military Law Research Center, stated, "The Chinese navy's navigation and surveillance of the Diaoyu Islands is an act of safeguarding national sovereignty," and "The Russian warship's entry is in accordance with international law, so there is no problem."
Zhou Yongsheng, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, analyzed, "Russia, which is in a territorial dispute with Japan over islands (Kuril Islands, called Chishima Islands by Japan), aims to prevent Japan's reckless military actions in the Pacific," and "The recent entry of the Russian warship into the Diaoyu Islands contiguous zone contains a warning to Japan." This is interpreted to mean that the Diaoyu Islands are Chinese territory and that China has approved the entry of the Russian warship.
Chinese military expert Song Zhongping said, "Russia's series of military moves are a warning against Japan's sanctions on Russia and a message to refrain from reckless words and actions in the future."
Meanwhile, some in China speculate that Russia may allow Chinese warships to enter the Kuril Islands in the future to check Japan and conduct joint military exercises.
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