US and Japan to hold military exercises during CCP congress
Staff Reporter 2012-11-02 13:48
Chinese defense spokesman Yang Yujun on Oct. 25 accused Japan of creating regional instability. (Photo/CNS)
Though the United States and Japan have cancelled a joint amphibious assault drill aimed to simulate combat operations against China over the disputed Senkaku (Diaoyutai or Diaoyu) islands, other exercises will still be carried out between Nov. 5-16, while the Chinese Communist Party holds its 18th National Congress, reports our sister newspaper Want Daily.
The exercise was originally planned to be conducted by the US Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self Defense Force at the Okinawa island of Irisuna.
Tensions have been high between China and Japan since the Japanese government nationalized three of the disputed islands in the East Chian Sea in September, triggering outrage and a strong outpouring of anti-Japanese sentiment in China, which also claims the islands, as does Taiwan. Both Beijing and Tokyo are conscious of their need to project an impression of strength for their own public at a time of transition for China and a beleaguered government in Japan while at the same time not wishing to harm their vaulable trade ties.
Other drills organized by the air forces and navies of Japan and the US will proceed as China's once-in-a-decade leadership transition gets underway from Nov. 8. About 14,000 US and 37,000 Japanese military personnel will be mobilized for those exercises. A report from the Tokyo-based news agency Kyodo said that the drills will not be open to reporters for "various sensitive reasons."
Yang Yujun, spokesman for the Chinese defense ministry, accused Japan of causing regional instability by holding joint military exercises with foreign powers.
Analysts said opposition from residents of Okinawa is assumed to be another reason for Japan to cancel the Irisuna exercise after a local woman was raped by two US sailors last month.
