US Condemns China's Radar Action as East Asia Tensions Spike

The United States has for the first time openly condemned China's recent military actions, criticizing Beijing for aiming fire-control radars at Japanese military aircraft near the Okinawa islands. The incident, which Japan denounced as "dangerous," is considered the most serious military confrontation between the two Asian powers in years.

A State Department spokesperson late Tuesday stated that China's actions are "not conducive to regional peace and stability" and reiterated Washington's "unwavering" commitment to the US-Japan Alliance. Reports detailing the international dispute, drawn from major news agencies like Reuters and regional sources, confirm the seriousness of the encounter.

While Japan asserts its aircraft were appropriately monitoring the Chinese carrier-based drills, China refuted the account, claiming the Japanese aircraft "repeatedly approached and disrupted" its navy during previously announced training east of the strategically important Miyako Strait.

This military run-in occurred amid sharply escalating diplomatic tensions fueled by recent comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Last month, Takaichi suggested a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could be considered a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, potentially triggering a military response. Beijing has since demanded a retraction, accused Tokyo of issuing military threats, and advised its citizens to avoid travel to Japan.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te added to the criticism, calling China's drills "very inappropriate behavior" and urging Beijing to prioritize regional peace. Although US Ambassador George Glass publicly supported Tokyo, President Donald Trump has remained publicly silent on the dispute. However, according to sources cited by Reuters, Trump privately urged Takaichi not to escalate the standoff during a recent phone call.