China-Japan hotline launched to avoid sea, air clashes
Link set up amid fear of confrontations around disputed islands in the East China Sea
Japan and China launched a communication link on Friday to avert accidental clashes at sea and in the air, while sidestepping a territorial row over a group of small islands in the East China Sea.
“The start is an important step to enhance the mutual understanding and trust between Japan and China,” Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said, noting that arrangements were under way to open a hotline between the countries’ defence officials.
The launch of the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism has been a long pending issue, which the two countries initially agreed to set up in 2007. They finally reached a full agreement in May amid a recent thaw in relations that have been marred by disputes over territory and Japan’s military aggression in the second world war.
Japan and China will also host in turn annual senior official and expert-level meetings to look into the operation of the system and technical problems that need to be addressed.
The two countries have also confirmed under a memorandum that the Japanese Self-Defence Forces and the Chinese military will continue to abide by existing communications protocols between vessels and aircraft to prevent an escalation of tensions.