In its recent Air Defense Identification Zone sprung without warning on the world, the PRC leadership seems amazed that no nation large or small in the region seems amused.
But instead of self reflection, the PRC leadership continues on the offensive.
In almost a case of Alice in Wonderland logic, the reactions of others are considered the source of the aggression.
Of course, it is not unusual for authoritarian regimes to blame everyone but themselves for their difficulties.
The “other” is simply to validate the legitimacy of the “self’s” actions.
A particular target is democratic Japan for the PRC to accuse of getting in the way of “peace” in the region.
As a recent Japanese news source reported:
Japan’s opposition to the establishment of a Chinese air defense zone over the East China Sea is “utterly unjustifiable,” China’s foreign ministry said Wednesday, amid moves by Tokyo to bolster its military with an eye on Beijing.
Japan plans to set up a new amphibious military unit and deploy surveillance drones in its southwest, according to its new defense guidelines to be approved next week, amid rising tensions in the region over China’s declaration last month of the air defense identification zone (ADIZ).
The Chinese air zone is mainly viewed as an attempt to bolster Beijing’s claim over a set of islands at the center of a bitter territorial dispute with Japan. The islands are called Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.
“It is utterly unjustifiable for Japan to point fingers at China, based on its erroneous position on the Diaoyu Islands issue,” ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at a regular briefing.
Hong blamed Japan for trying to change “the status quo in the East China Sea.”
“China will, in accordance with relevant international law and practices, exercise its effective management of the East China Sea ADIZ,” Hong said.
“At the same time, we would like to communicate with relevant countries on technical issues based on the principle of equality and mutual respect so as to jointly maintain the security and order of flights in the related airspace,” Hong said.
“We urge the Japanese side to take a correct attitude, stop provoking and create conditions for the management of differences through dialogue,” Hong said.
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