Anxiety grips China as Japan strengthens defence capabilities & outreach
China whenever Japan, engages in military and security-related activities. On March 26, as Japan removed restrictions on transfer of defence technology in order to allow the worldwide export of advanced fighter jets that it is jointly developing with Italy and the UK, China expressed its concern on the development.
“China noted relevant reports and expresses grave concern over the decision. Given Japan’s not-too-distant history of militarist aggression, Japan’s military and security moves are closely watched by its Asian neighbours and the international community,” China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said.
The Japanese government-led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida approved revised export rules on transfer of defence equipment and technology after the ruling outfit, the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Komeito Party agreed on these rules, according to a report in The Japan Times.
As per revised rules, Tokyo can export fighter jets which are being developed jointly by Japan along with Italy and the UK. They are expected to be deployed by 2035 to a third country. Work on the fighter jet development is currently in the design phase and three countries aim to “draft specifications and performance in the next five years or so,” Japan’s Defence Minister Minoru Kihara said. These warplanes will not be sold to a nation where conflict is taking place, the Japanese Defence Minister said.
But China fears that Japan will export these warplanes to Beijing’s rivals in the Pacific, Southeast
