China opens fire control radar on Japanese navy above disputed gas fields

[BuddhaPalm]

Japan says Chinese warship could have 'locked' on SDF vessel, patrol plane

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
June 14, 2014

A Chinese warship in the East China Sea is thought to have activated fire-control radar, a prelude to opening fire, to track a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel and patrol plane on May 29, government sources in Tokyo said.

Fire-control radar is designed to calculate things like elevation, range and velocity to ensure a direct hit on an enemy target.

The application of FCR could be interpreted as a provocative act. But since there is no conclusive proof that the Chinese actually used the radar, the Japanese Defense Ministry has yet to officially comment on the matter.

The incidents occurred on the Japan side of a median line between the two nations that is close to gas fields that China is currently developing.

On the morning of May 29, a Chinese Navy frigate is suspected of directing the fire-control radar at the MSDF destroyer Sawagiri. That same afternoon, the Chinese vessel is suspected of adopting the same tactics against a P-3C patrol plane that was on a surveillance mission in the area.

The Defense Ministry analyzed data collected by the destroyer and the patrol plane. But it was unable to conclusively determine whether the fire-control radar system was specifically directed at them.

On Jan. 30, 2013, a Chinese Navy frigate directed FCR at the MSDF destroyer Yudachi in the East China Sea. Earlier, on Jan. 19, a Chinese Navy frigate is suspected of using the radar on an MSDF helicopter that was flying in the area.

“I think that under the United Nations Charter, the directing of the radar corresponds to a threat by force," Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said when those incidents were officially announced.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense denied it had overstepped the mark, responding, “(What the Japanese Defense Ministry announced) is not a fact.”

On May 24 and June 11 this year, Chinese military fighter aircraft made extremely close approaches to Japanese SDF planes over the East China Sea.

In both cases, Tokyo lodged protests against China, but China refused to accept Japan’s assertion.

Japan is seeking the establishment of a “maritime liaison mechanism” between the defense authorities of Japan and China in order to prevent situations that could trigger hostilities. But prospects for such a mechanism moving forward would appear dim in light of recent strains in relations between the two countries.


If Japan has forgotten that they are a conquered nation for 60 years then China will hunt down their naval fleet and blockade the four main islands without food or fuel until they unconditionally surrender and get ready for war crime trials.

 

[BuddhaPalm]

The Diplomat

Twice in as many weeks, PLAAF fighter jets have conducted dangerous flybys over the East China Sea, approaching within 100 feet of Japanese surveillance planes. This is only the most recent in a string of dangerous incidents in the waters and skies on China’s periphery.

Last December, a Chinese warship nearly collided with the USS Cowpens, cutting off the American cruiser in international waters in the South China Sea. In recent years, Chinese ships have periodically harassed unarmed U.S. naval vessels in seas off the Chinese coastline, but this was the first incident involving two armed warships.

Earlier in 2013, Chinese ships used fire control radars to “lock on” to a Japanese destroyer and a Japanese helicopter. It is difficult to imagine a more aggressive act short of opening fire.

In all of these cases, potentially deadly accidents were avoided due to the forbearance of those on the receiving end of Chinese aggression. If not for the calmness of Japanese pilots, the experience of American captains, and the steady hands of MSDF commanders, any of these incidents could have ended very differently than it did.

Why are Chinese forces acting so recklessly? The fact that Chinese military officers are repeating the same behaviors over and over again suggests that these are not the acts of hot-dogging mavericks. The actions, rather, are part and parcel of China’s strategy to gain control of its near seas and change norms of behavior in international waters and airspace off China’s coast. If the PLA makes it dangerous for U.S. and Japanese forces to operate as they always have, the thinking goes, perhaps they will cease to do so.

China’s “I dare you” policy rests on several assumptions. First, China assumes that its rivals are more eager than it is to avoid deadly accidents. Second, and similarly, China assumes that its rivals are more intent on avoiding actual conflict. Third, China assumes that the Japanese and American militaries in particular, due to their training and experience, can be counted on to exercise self-restraint in the face of Chinese taunting.

These are dangerous assumptions. For Japan, at stake are issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity and the future of a region that has, at least until now, been safe for liberal democracies. And while Washington has sent mixed messages about its commitment to the region, the stakes are likewise high for the United States, whose security and prosperity are tied to the international liberal order that Beijing appears intent on overturning.

Perhaps it is true that leaders in Tokyo and Washington value human life more than their Chinese counterparts. Certainly, neither Japan nor the United States wants to see an accident or hostilities break out in Asia, but neither do they consider allowing China to get its way to be a viable option. Indeed, Chinese success in establishing control over disputed territories and in forcing others to operate at greater distance from Chinese shores will make China’s neighbors and the United States less secure and more vulnerable, potentially further heightening the risks of conflict.

Moreover, while it is true that members of the American and Japanese militaries are well trained and highly disciplined, they are also human beings operating in stressful situations whose behaviors may not be entirely predictable. Is it so difficult to imagine that a Japanese destroyer captain, having a foreign vessel lock firing radar onto his ship, might decide that the best way to protect his crew is to return the favor or even fire first?

China is intentionally using its forces in a way designed make a clash or mishap more likely, while counting on others to ensure such an eventuality is avoided. Put simply, Beijing is tempting fate. Will Xi Jinping recognize this is folly before his good fortune runs out?

Our enemies can only whine like babies while we bully them. Let them grow some balls to challenge our bullying if they dare!

 

[CHiahah]

The Diplomat

Twice in as many weeks, PLAAF fighter jets have conducted dangerous flybys over the East China Sea, approaching within 100 feet of Japanese surveillance planes. This is only the most recent in a string of dangerous incidents in the waters and skies on China’s periphery.

Last December, a Chinese warship nearly collided with the USS Cowpens, cutting off the American cruiser in international waters in the South China Sea. In recent years, Chinese ships have periodically harassed unarmed U.S. naval vessels in seas off the Chinese coastline, but this was the first incident involving two armed warships.

Earlier in 2013, Chinese ships used fire control radars to “lock on” to a Japanese destroyer and a Japanese helicopter. It is difficult to imagine a more aggressive act short of opening fire.

In all of these cases, potentially deadly accidents were avoided due to the forbearance of those on the receiving end of Chinese aggression. If not for the calmness of Japanese pilots, the experience of American captains, and the steady hands of MSDF commanders, any of these incidents could have ended very differently than it did.

Why are Chinese forces acting so recklessly? The fact that Chinese military officers are repeating the same behaviors over and over again suggests that these are not the acts of hot-dogging mavericks. The actions, rather, are part and parcel of China’s strategy to gain control of its near seas and change norms of behavior in international waters and airspace off China’s coast. If the PLA makes it dangerous for U.S. and Japanese forces to operate as they always have, the thinking goes, perhaps they will cease to do so.

China’s “I dare you” policy rests on several assumptions. First, China assumes that its rivals are more eager than it is to avoid deadly accidents. Second, and similarly, China assumes that its rivals are more intent on avoiding actual conflict. Third, China assumes that the Japanese and American militaries in particular, due to their training and experience, can be counted on to exercise self-restraint in the face of Chinese taunting.

These are dangerous assumptions. For Japan, at stake are issues of sovereignty and territorial integrity and the future of a region that has, at least until now, been safe for liberal democracies. And while Washington has sent mixed messages about its commitment to the region, the stakes are likewise high for the United States, whose security and prosperity are tied to the international liberal order that Beijing appears intent on overturning.

Perhaps it is true that leaders in Tokyo and Washington value human life more than their Chinese counterparts. Certainly, neither Japan nor the United States wants to see an accident or hostilities break out in Asia, but neither do they consider allowing China to get its way to be a viable option. Indeed, Chinese success in establishing control over disputed territories and in forcing others to operate at greater distance from Chinese shores will make China’s neighbors and the United States less secure and more vulnerable, potentially further heightening the risks of conflict.

Moreover, while it is true that members of the American and Japanese militaries are well trained and highly disciplined, they are also human beings operating in stressful situations whose behaviors may not be entirely predictable. Is it so difficult to imagine that a Japanese destroyer captain, having a foreign vessel lock firing radar onto his ship, might decide that the best way to protect his crew is to return the favor or even fire first?

China is intentionally using its forces in a way designed make a clash or mishap more likely, while counting on others to ensure such an eventuality is avoided. Put simply, Beijing is tempting fate. Will Xi Jinping recognize this is folly before his good fortune runs out?

Our enemies can only whine like babies while we bully them. Let them grow some balls to challenge our bullying if they dare!

Wow~~~this is a good news!!!