China Flexes Muscles in East China Sea

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright November 27, 2013
All Rights Reserved.                                      

            Flexing its muscles over a series of disputed islands with Japan in the East China Sea, China declared a no-fly-zone over the disputed airspace, asking foreign powers to gain flyover permission.  When U.S. B-52 stealth bomber flew over the region Nov. 24, the Pentagon thumbed its nose at Beijing’s arbitrary no-fly-zone.  Considered international airspace, the U.S. isn’t bound by Beijing’s arbitrary decision to enforce a no-fly-zone around the disputed islands know in Japan as Senkaku or Diaoyu in China.  With over 9.7 million kilometers of land mass and over 1.35 billion in population, China tried to assert sovereignty over the rocky islands purchased by Japan in 2012 from private landowners.  China and Japan have been bitter enemies since the first Sino-Japanese War [1894-1895] fought over Korea and second Sino-Japanese War [1937] fought over Manchuria. China still holds grudges over Imperial Japan.

             China’s arbitrary decision to create a no-fly-zone over the disputed islands presents problems for the U.S. that holds a mutual defense treaty with Japan.  Sending in Stratofortress B-52 bombers from Guam to violate China’s no-fly-zone directly challenged China’s power.  When China forced down on Hainan Island in the South China Sea an EP-3 spy plane after a midair collision with Chinese J-8 killing the PRC pilot April 1, 2001, China detained the 24-member U.S. flight crew for over 30 days, dismantling the EP-3 bolt-by-bolt.  Monday’s flyover by B-52 stealth bombers pushes China to take action.  “We have the ability to exercise effective control over the East Sea Air Defense Identification Zone [ADIZ],” said Qin Gang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.  Based on the 2001 Hainan Island incident, the U.S. knows China means business once it commits to action.

             Since U.S. air reconnaissance routinely patrols off the coast of China, the Pentagon can’t accept a no-fly-zone based on China’s current beef with Japan.  “The Chinese military monitored the entire process, carried out identification in a timely manner and ascertained the type of U.S. aircraft,” said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng.  Vice President Joe Biden expects to deal with the flyover issue when he heads to Beijing next week to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.  Responding to the flap between China and Japan, Amb. Caroline Kennedy stressed the close relationship with Japan.  “Clearly, the visit to China creates an opportunity for the vice president to discuss directly with policymakers in Beijing this issue, to convey our concerns directly and seek clarity regarding the Chinese intentions in making the move at this time,” said an unnamed U.S. official.

             When Biden goes to meet with Xi, he won’t find too much receptivity to Japan’s official position on the disputed islands.  China’s known for flexing its muscles and bullying less powerful neighbors in the region.  “The Japanese can see everyday that America is here for them as a partner in the defense of Japan,” said Kennedy, potentially offending China on the eve of Biden’s trip.  U.S. officials have been reluctant to take sides in the disputed islands, though Caroline’s public remarks remind Beijing that the U.S. tilts toward Japan.  With American business joined at the hip with China, the U.S. doesn’t want to offend its biggest offshore trading partner.  Conservative voices in China believe the B-52 flyover was a direct provocation.  “They came to test us and proved you don’t have the guts to show them who’s boss,” said Sina Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter.

             Judging by the Hainan Island incident, the U.S. shouldn’t push China too far.  Biden’s visit should focus instead on diplomatic channels to resolve the disputed island controversy.  Like the U.S. dealing with Iran, there’s a long history of provocative relations between Japan and China.  Biden walks a razor’s edge showing neutrality with Japan and China, when Kennedy’s public remarks show the U.S. sides with Japan.  Creating a no-fly-zone over the disputed islands, China hoped to bring Japan to the bargaining table.  Dismissing China’s threats, the ADIZ “is entirely designed to give the Chinese more options on the diplomatic side of the argument, give them more tools, more leverage,” said Gary Li, a fellow at HIS Maritime.  Betting that China’s playing games conveniently forgets the April 1, 2001 Hainan Island incident that held 24 U.S. citizens  hostage for over 30 days.

              U.S. officials at the White House and Pentagon, need to get on the same page before Biden meets with Xi next week.  Letting Caroline proclaim U.S. loyalty to Japan doesn’t bode well for a case of U.S. neutrality with regard to the disputed islands flap.  Instead of more provocation, the U.S. should help facilitate a successful resolution to the disputed islands controversy.  When Japan purchased the three islands in 2012 from a private party, the dispute started to heat up.  China disputes Tokyo’s sovereignty over the islands since 1895 when Imperial Japan annexed the islands.  Since 1968, the dispute heated up when offshore oil reserves were discovered in the waters around what the British call the “Pinnacle Islands.”  China accused Japan of provocation for sending its warships and planes into the region.  Biden’s got his work cut out next week explaining the official U.S. position.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com.and author of Dodging the Bullet and Operation Charisma.