2020 DEFENSE OF JAPAN Defense White Paper DIGEST PLA’s Recent Activities in the Surrounding Sea Area and Airspace of Japan (image) Examples of the PLA Navy and Air Force confirmed around Japan (photos: MSDF/ASDF) Legend Sea power Air power Shang-class submarine Aircraft carrier “Liaoning” H-6 bomber Su-30 fighter Advancement of bombers all the way to the area off the Kii Peninsula (August 2017) Flight of a carrier-based fighter (including estimates) in the Pacific Ocean (April 2018 and April 2020) Tokyo Amami Oshima Island Okinawa Sea of Japan China-Russia joint naval exercise “Joint Sea 2017” Frequent advancement into the Sea of Japan Long-distance joint flight of Chinese and Russian bombers from the Sea of Japan to the East China Sea 500km The PLA Navy and Air Force’s activities in the East China Sea Miyakojima Island Yonagunijima Island Senkaku Islands Ningbo China-Russia joint naval exercise “Joint Sea 2019” Frequent advancement into the Pacific Ocean passing between Okinawa and Miyakojima Island Taiwan Underwater submarine and destroyer’s intrusions into the contiguous zone off the Senkaku Islands (January 2018) Qingdao *Locations, wakes, etc. include images and estimates. Activities in Further Distant Seas ● China is steadily increasing its capabilities to conduct operations in more distant seas such as the Indian Ocean in recent years. ● China has been promoting its “Belt and Road” Initiative, and China’s support for the construction of port infrastructure in Indian Ocean countries as well as Pacific island countries could lead China to secure bases available for its military purpose. The Chinese military is possibly taking on the role of the shield behind the initiative by such means as the stabilization of areas via counter-piracy activities and the improvement of counter-terrorism capabilities in coastal states through joint exercises. Relations with Countries and Regions ● There are various issues between the United States and China, such as trade issues, issues concerning the South China Sea, the Taiwan issue, the Hong Kong issue, and human rights issues regarding Uighur and Tibet. ● While the United States has been toughening its stance on China, China has maintained an uncompromising stance on its “core interests.” Concerning trade and military issues, mutually keep themselves in check between the United States and China. ● While the United States has continued and reinforced its engagement in Taiwan, China has repeatedly expressed its strong protest against Taiwan’s independence. ● Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen was reelected with the highest-ever number of votes and has reiterated her opposition to the “One country, Two Systems” principle, which China keeps in check. ● The Solomon Islands and Kiribati established diplomatic relations with China, and as a result, the number of countries having diplomatic relations with Taiwan declined to 15 from 22 in May 2016, when President Tsai took office. ● The overall military balance between China and Taiwan is shifting in favor of China, and the gap appears to be growing year by year. The United States continues selling arms (such as F-16 fighters) to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act. ● Moves to review projects have been seen among some countries cooperating in the “Belt and Road” Initiative, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Director Brent Christensen, American due to such factors as their deteriorating financial situation. Institute in Taiwan [AIT] Digest 18