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@valoreconomicoChina increases pressure on Japanese islands with unprecedented air incursion https://t.co/TUX0Y3NFD6
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China's ZHAOKAI-Class Helicopter Incursion Near Senkaku Islands Triggers Japanese Fighter Jet Scramble Amid 170-Day Chinese Ship Presence
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Tensions between Japan and China have escalated around the Senkaku Islands, a group of disputed islets controlled by Japan but claimed by China. On May 3, a China Coast Guard helicopter entered Japanese territorial airspace near the Senkaku Islands, marking the first such incursion by a helicopter since World War II and only the fourth by a Chinese aircraft overall. This incident followed the presence of a Japanese civilian aircraft near the islands, which the Chinese Foreign Ministry cited as justification for their warning and expulsion actions. The Japanese government has expressed concern about China's efforts to create facts on the ground to assert territorial claims, with officials criticizing the repeated Chinese presence and urging stronger responses beyond diplomatic protests.
Around the islands, Chinese vessels, including four patrol ships equipped with machine guns, have been navigating the contiguous zone for over 170 consecutive days, prompting warnings from Japanese coast guard patrols. Among the Chinese vessels identified is the newly confirmed ZHAOKAI-class patrol ship, capable of carrying a Z-9 helicopter, which is believed to have been involved in the airspace incursion. The Japanese government and ruling party members have discussed deploying drones and other measures to counter these activities. The Japan Coast Guard and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force have increased surveillance and rapid response operations, including scrambling fighter jets following the helicopter incursion. Meanwhile, Chinese naval and coast guard activity near Taiwan remains intense, with reports of multiple ships and aircraft conducting patrols. The situation has raised concerns about potential miscalculations and the need for caution to avoid unintended escalation.
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KAROTASU
@type36512China Maritime Police [CCG] Yuhuan Base A relatively rare ship from the Maritime Police Department is anchored FUZI-MOD class 5,000 ton class oil tanker (estimated ship number: Marine Police 2505) ZHAOLAI II Class 5,000 ton class rescue tugboat (estimated ship number: sea police 2504, rescue salvage station rescue ship base engine output 8,000 kW class?) Both are new types of ships built around 2023 or later GE photography 20250411 https://t.co/NjozEFYYSW
KAROTASU
@type36512China Maritime Police Service [CCG] ZHAOKAI class patrol vessel Key Takeaways Total length: approx. 134 m, total width: approx. 14 m Displacement: 3,000 ton class Engine: diesel main engine x 4 Equipment: H/PJ-26 76mm rapid-fire gun x 1, improved 630 30mm Gatling machine gun x 2, heavy machine gun RWSx 2, remote-controlled high pressure water gun x 2 Construction: CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, CSSC Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Number of constructions: 13+? (estimated value) https://t.co/UljRTsMW02 https://t.co/sUTfce5kHZ
Story Timeline
•Latest version
Japan Raises Alert After First Chinese Helicopter Incursion Since WWII, 174 Days of Armed Coast Guard Ships and Unauthorized Marine Survey in Senkaku EEZ
China's 173-Day Maritime Presence and May 3 Helicopter Airspace Intrusion Near Senkaku Islands Prompt Japan to Boost Drone Surveillance
China's ZHAOKAI-Class Helicopter Incursion Near Senkaku Islands Triggers Japanese Fighter Jet Scramble Amid 170-Day Chinese Ship Presence
Chinese Coast Guard Expels Japanese Vessel, Continues Armed Incursions Near Senkaku Islands Amid Helicopter Violation
Chinese Coast Guard Vessels Mark 170 Days Near Senkaku, Two Armed Ships Enter Waters, Japanese Fishing Vessel Expelled
China Coast Guard Vessels Enter Japanese Waters Near Senkaku Islands; Chinese Helicopter Violates Airspace; PLA Warns Philippine Ship
•Original version
Philippines Deploys Aircraft to Confront Chinese Vessel in EEZ; Japan and China Exchange Airspace Violations Near Senkaku; Taiwan Tracks PLA Sorties
