China's Foreign Ministry has dismissed Japan's reaction to a recent joint air patrol conducted with Russia, calling the response "unnecessarily nervous." Spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed media inquiries on Thursday, emphasizing that the exercise—the 10th such collaboration since 2019—was a routine operation aimed at strengthening regional stability.
"There is no need for the Japanese side to be so nervous and dramatic," Guo stated, reaffirming that the patrols over the East China Sea and Western Pacific adhere to international law. The remarks follow Japan’s expressed concerns about increased military activity near its airspace.
Analysts note that the China-Russia air patrols reflect deepening strategic coordination amid shifting security dynamics in Asia. While Tokyo has raised alarms, Beijing insists the drills are non-targeted and part of normal defense cooperation. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in East Asia as regional powers navigate complex geopolitical fault lines.
