Japan's accusation against China only excuse for military build-up

Special: China'sair defense identification zone

BEIJING - Japan's recent charge that Chinese jet fighters drew "unusually close" to its military aircraft on a provocative flight over the East China Sea is simply a cover for its despicable plan for a military build-up.

Two Japanese F-15 aircraft deliberately tailed a Chinese Tu-154 plane Wednesday, coming as near as 30 meters as the Chinese aircraft conducted a routine patrol over the East China Sea.

The incident came on the same day two Japanese surveillance planes intruded into the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone. Two J-11 jet fighters of the Chinese Air Force, which took off to identify them, remained more than 150 meters from the Japanese planes during the whole process.

However, Japan, in an apparent move to create conflict with China, again put the blame on its victim by criticizing the Chinese military for approaching "unusually close" to its surveillance aircraft, simply ignoring their own close encounter.

The Chinese Defense Ministry on Thursday criticized Japan's provocative action and accusation, describing it as "a thief who cries thief." It seems Japan is again turning to old tricks in a bid to promote its theory that China is a threat.

Obviously, a peacefully rising China poses a great threat to Japan in the eyes of Japanese right-wing politicians and the military, in spite of the fact China never deviates from its pursuit of peaceful development and seeks to maintain regional peace and security.

On the contrary, Japan's warmongers have been seeking excuses for its military build-up by demonizing China, accusing it of being the one threatening the region.

In fact, Japan habitually stands facts on their heads by trying to portray itself as a victim.

For a long time, the country has closely scouted and disrupted China's normal flying, posing a grave threat to Chinese warplanes' safety and causing tension in the East China Sea.

According to a statement released by the Chinese Defense Ministry last month, two Japanese aircraft, OP-3C and YS-11EB, intruded into the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone on May 24 to scout and interfere with China-Russia naval drills.

Giving a false account of the facts, the Japanese government also lodged a "protest" against Chinese warplanes' "unusually close" approach to its surveillance aircraft.

The bold-faced clamor shows Japan's right-wing government will never give up its dream of a militarily strong Japan.