Tensions in the South China Sea continue unabated over disputed territories with China and Japan the latest to clash. The Chinese Ministry of Defense pushed back in a statement to reporters over Japan’s accusations last week that Chinese military aircraft may have breached Japanese air space while flying near the disputed Diaoyu Islands. The Chinese Defense official warned that Japanese surveillance and tracking of Chinese aircraft and vessels in the region could lead to further misunderstandings between Beijing and Tokyo. In an apparent retort to comments by Chinese Defense officials, the Japanese Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that Japan, Australia, and the United States will hold a joint naval drill in the East China Sea over the coming weekend.

Analysis

In recent months, Vietnam and the Philippines have both complained about China’s aggressive maritime actions in the disputed and resource-rich South China Sea. Moreover, Hanoi and Manila both have expressed the desire to strengthen security relationships with the United States. Tokyo, however, continues to resist reevaluating its security posture and upgrading its defense capabilities. Japan also remains unable to resolve a lingering dispute over the basing of U.S. forces at Futenma and continues to delay a decision on selecting a replacement aircraft for its aging fleet of F-15 fighter jets.

Carolyn Leddy held senior positions with the U.S. Department of State and the National Security Council under the George W. Bush administration. She was a 2009-2010 Council on Foreign Relations-Hitachi Ltd. International Affairs Fellow in Japan and Visiting Fellow at the National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo.