Japan Warship Transit Triggers China’s Harsh Response
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- Japan sent the destroyer Ikazuchi through the Taiwan Strait on April 17, marking its second warship transit in ten months.
- China issued a joint condemnation from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, and Eastern Theater Command, urging Japan to “step back from the brink.”
- Eastern Theater Command launched combat‑readiness patrols in the East China Sea and positioned warships near Okinawa after the transit.
- Jun Zhengping, a PLA‑linked social media account, warned that Japan was “playing with fire” following the passage.
- Treaty of Shimonoseki anniversary on April 17, a historic symbol of Chinese humiliation, amplified Beijing’s harsh response.
Why it matters: Japan’s defense firms gain credibility as Beijing’s hardline stance raises the odds of a naval clash within two years, prompting higher insurance premiums for regional shipping.
