US Military and Air Force Interactions in the Indirect Presence of a “Censored and Unprovable” Warship or Airborne Attack in the Indo-Pacific

CNN reported last week that Milley ordered a comprehensive review of US military interactions with Chinese forces over the last five years as concerns about Beijing’s assertive behavior in the Indo-Pacific region increases, according to three Defense officials.

“The volume, the number of Chinese intercepts at sea and in the air have increased significantly over five years,” Milley said, though he offered no further details on the figure.

Tensions surrounding Taiwan have increased markedly this year. There was fury from the Communist Party after Nancy Pelosi visited the island in August.

President Joe Biden has suggested the US military believes a potential trip by Pelosi and other lawmakers would pose security risks. The Pentagon would not say if officials had briefed the California Democrat on fears of a Chinese no-fly zone or increased unsafe intercepts of US and allied ships and aircraft.

Milley wants to gain a detailed understanding of interactions between the two militaries, especially if they could be considered “unsafe” or “unprofessional” due to Chinese aircraft or ships close to US military assets.

In one of the most serious recent incidents, the Australian government said in February that a Chinese warship allegedly used a laser to “illuminate” an Australian Air Force jet in what Canberra called a “serious safety incident.”

The Australian Defence Force said that it strongly condemns the Unprofessional and unsafe military conduct which could endanger lives. Pilots who have been attacked by laser attacks have reported blinding flashes, pain, and spasms in their vision.

The South China Sea Crisis and the Status of the United States’ Armed Forces: China’s Position on the Issues of Security and Cooperation

Speaking at the Asia’s premier defense conference, Austin stated that indo- Pacific countries shouldn’t face political intimidation, economic coercion, or harassment by maritime militias.

China frequently challenges military aircraft from the U.S. and its allies, especially over the South China Sea, which China claims in its entirety. Such behavior led to a 2001 in-air collision in which a Chinese plane was lost and pilot killed.

The US does not agree with the territorial claims of China and conducts operations through the South China Sea.

The incursions were made by 42 J-10, J-11, J-16 and Su-30 fighter jets, two Y-8 maritime patrol aircrafts, a KJ-500 early warning aircraft, as well as a CH-4 and a WZ-7 military drone, according to the Taiwanese defense ministry.

The Chinese military conducted a joint combat readiness patrol around Taiwan on Sunday in response to the recent incidents between Taiwan and the United States.

The Communist Party of China views Taiwan as a part of its territory despite the fact that it has never been able to control it. If the need arises, it will force the reunification of the island with the Chinese mainland.

On Friday, the president of the US signed a bill that included an establishment of a program to deter Chinese aggression in Taiwan.

The partnership between Taiwan and the United States will help safeguard the free, open and stable region. The military will be strengthened based on enemy threats and needs for self-defense.

Biden met the leader of China in person for the first time at the G20 summit in Indonesia. Biden described the meeting as open and candid, and cast doubt on the imminent invasion of Taiwan.

Talks on climate cooperation are expected to resume as well as part of a broader set of agreements between China and the United States, with China having previously halted talks as part of reprisal for Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

First Day of December 21: China’s Naval-Aircraft Collision close to the Okinawa Island, South of the East China Sea

Last Friday, China also conducted a series of military drills close to Japan’s southern Okinawa island in the Pacific Ocean, according to Japanese authorities.

The Chinese navy’s Liaoning aircraft carrier, as well as two destroyers and a frigate, sailed about 560 kilometers (about 348 miles) east of Kitadaito Island, located off Okinawa’s east coast, on December 21, according to Japan’s Joint Staff. The vessels also sailed roughly 120 kilometers (74 miles) east of Okinotorishima, located further southeast, on December 22.

Then on Friday, around 180 carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters took off and landed on the Liaoning aircraft carrier, according to Japan’s defense ministry.

Japan’s Ministry of Defense and Self-Defense Forces responded by dispatching two escort ships to collect information and carry out warning and surveillance, the ministry said.

Tensions between China and Japan have also been rising steadily, with Beijing growing its naval and air forces in areas near Japan. In the East China Sea, China claims the Senkaku Islands that are also being claimed by Japan.

Japan unveiled a new national security plan that signals its biggest military build-up since World War II, and doubles defense spending in a bid to fight off growing threats from China, North Korea and Russia.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement Thursday that the incident occurred Dec. 21 when the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy J-11 flew in front of and within 20 feet of the nose of an RC-135, a type of large reconnaissance plane operated by the U.S. Air Force.

The video shows a plane flying off the nose of another plane. As the two aircraft draw closer, a defense official said it is “unlikely” the Chinese jet could have maintained a safe visual separation from the larger, heavier American aircraft, which was maintaining its course and speed. The RC-135 then takes evasive action to avoid a collision, descending away from the Chinese jet.

The official said that the majority of aircraft interactions between the United States and China are conducted in a professional manner. In instances like this, when it is determined that it is unsafe, the US uses diplomatic channels and military channels to communicate with Beijing.

The United States is dedicated to a free and open region in the Asia-Pacific and will continue to fly, sail and operate in international airspace while protecting the integrity of vessels and aircraft under international law, the statement said.

The U.S. and others have also accused China of harassing military aircraft and ships in the East China Sea off the Chinese coast and as far away as the Horn of Africa, where China operates a naval base.