China launches fighters to East China Sea

[Serio]

In response to Japan launched F-15 fighters against Chinese surveillance planes of the East China Sea(a region contested by both China and Japan), China has deployed its own fighters on routine flight patrols in the area. In yet another response, Tokyo is reportedly considering permitting its pilots to fire tracer rounds against the Chinese fighters, as a warning.

If the situation escalates any further, it could turn very ugly. There have already been some close calls with the Senkaku Island incident earlier last year.

Source China Sends Fighters To East China Sea - Business Insider

[MrFancypants]

Too bad that the UN doesn't do what it is supposed to do and declares the islands a neutral zone.

[Commissar MercZ]

Originally Posted by MrFancypants

Too bad that the UN doesn't do what it is supposed to do and declares the islands a neutral zone.

Considering the clout of China in the Security Council and Japan's own support from the US and others on the Security Council, (as well as the web of support beyond it), I suspect they would not have found the support to do so anyways. It would have solved a lot of problems though, but at this moment it's a good example of exploitation of nationalist sentiment among the populace. The voting results in Japan showed support for the same, "tough" approach on China judging from what parties performed the best.

[Asheekay]

What could happen if the worst turned to the worst?

A war? Can japan really risk a war with the gigantic military power of china? And what would be the outcomes too? Another global economic recession? Interference by u.s?

Considering the ogre-like attitude of china in territorial issues, it is hardly a possibility they would give it up. It would end up being a chinese zone I think.

[D3matt]

Waiting for the subsequent post about the US entering the conflict on the side of Japan... The last thing we need is a war with one of the largest world powers. The US has never been in direct conflict with a power of similar size, and I definitely don't look forward to such a possibility.