For several months now I’ve been following the ever escalating conflict in the Far East over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands. I had refrained from starting a topic previously as I thought the dispute would blow-over… However tensions are now at ignition point and a full blown attack by the Chinese is now imminent.
Japan’s new prime-minister, Shinzo Abe, (a right-wing nationalist) has pledged to take a much tougher stance on China and for the first time in 10 years increased Japan’s historically declining military budget.
On the other side of the sea, similar rhetoric from China’s new communist leaders. Vowing to turn China into a maritime power.
In December, a Chinese state-owned aircraft tested Japanese radar coverage by flying below 200 ft. By the time it was spotted, “it was too late for a scramble of eight F-15 fighter jets to prove effective”.
Then on January 10th, Japan scrambled more F-15s to intercept another Chinese aircraft. Only for the Chinese to retaliate by sending their own fighter jets to intercept the ones sent to intercept the Chinese aircraft.
Obama’s administration has called for cooler heads in the region, but pressures from the Chinese and Japanese voting public could force their politicians to escalate matters.
This will be an interesting few months indeed.
By: Andy in Beds - 24th January 2013 at 21:49
If I was fitted with a device best described as a ‘I don’t give a f*ck-o-meter’ it would currently be reading well beyond the red zone–off the scale in fact.
These are countries far away from Bedfordshire and if a load of orientals want to slaughter each other in droves, then as far as I’m concerned they can get on with.
Please don’t bother disturbing the rest of us though.
By: Scott Marlee - 24th January 2013 at 21:45
all that could be recalled from all the Chinese takeaways in G.B, held here in reserve.:)
Jim.
Lincoln .7
LMAO, Jim, that was quite possibly one of the best lines i have ever read from you, even if unintended 😀
classic
By: j_jza80 - 24th January 2013 at 21:31
Don’t fancy Japans chances, with 1-3 Billion Chinese, plus add to that, all that could be recalled from all the Chinese takeaways in G.B, held here in reserve.:)
Jim.
Lincoln .7
Its not that straightforward, there’s no way that any war involving Japan wouldn’t also include the USA, which could easily escalate to include the UK.
IMO any potential conflict would probably be on a similar scale to the Falklands war.
By: J Boyle - 24th January 2013 at 21:30
I doubt if it wil come to blows.
No upside (or profit) in it for either side.Japan is still having economic troubles and China is trying to look legit in the eyes of the world.
Besides, Japan is hopelessly outnumbered.
It would take the Chinese sailing into Tokyo Bay to get Obama to support Japan militarily.
By: John Green - 24th January 2013 at 21:20
There is bitter history between these two. Long time rancour not forgotten. The infamous Massacre of Nanking comes to mind. My money is on the Chinese, they’re probably itching to repay.
By: Lincoln 7 - 24th January 2013 at 19:07
Don’t fancy Japans chances, with 1-3 Billion Chinese, plus add to that, all that could be recalled from all the Chinese takeaways in G.B, held here in reserve.:)
Jim.
Lincoln .7
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January 24, 2013 at 6:36 pm