Why is the passage of Chinese and Russian warships through the Tsugaru Strait considered an invasion of Japan?

Why is the passage of Chinese and Russian warships through the Tsugaru Strait considered an invasion of Japan?

Why is the passage of Chinese and Russian warships through the Tsugaru Strait considered an invasion of Japan? In fact, this is not the first time a Chinese warship has passed through the Tsugaru Strait. Once through the Tsugaru Strait. The passage of the Chinese and Russian naval formations through the Tsugaru Strait is completely in compliance with international law. Why is the passage of Chinese and Russian warships through the Tsugaru Strait considered an invasion of Japan? Why is the passage of Chinese and Russian warships through the Tsugaru Strait considered an invasion of Japan 1

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, from October 14th to 17th, the Chinese and Russian navies held a "maritime joint- 2021” joint military exercise. After the Sino-Russian military exercise, all warships from both sides did not withdraw to their own ports. Instead, 10 ships formed a joint formation and sailed to the Pacific via Japan's Tsugaru Strait.

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, nicknamed the "Queen Photographer", released "single photos" of 10 Chinese and Russian warships captured by surveillance cameras on the 18th. However, many Chinese netizens expressed that they preferred another photo that was said to have been taken by Japanese people. In the picture, a huge fleet was marching mightily on the sea.

The Chinese and Russian naval formations are passing through the Tsugaru Strait on the high seas, looking mighty in the narrow strait (photographed by Japanese netizens)

Japan The Self-Defense Forces Integrated Staff Supervision Department reported on the evening of the 18th that at 8 a.m. that day, a Chinese and Russian naval formation sailing eastward was discovered in the Sea of ??Japan southwest of Okushiri Island, Hokkaido. The Chinese and Russian formations then sailed toward the North Pacific through the Tsugaru Strait at noon. The Japanese side said that this is the first time that the Chinese and Russian navies have crossed the Tsugaru Strait at the same time, and Japan has dispatched ships and aircraft to conduct intelligence collection and surveillance.

On October 19, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hitohiko Isozaki said that Japan is “highly concerned” about this and “will alert and monitor the sea and airspace surrounding my country and adopt a comprehensive response posture.”

The Japan Broadcasting Association website reported on the 19th that Japan, the United States, Australia and other countries have held multilateral military training in the "Indo-Pacific region" for many times. In this context, China has demonstrated the cooperative relationship between China and Russia. Currently, the Ministry of Defense is analyzing the purpose of this voyage between China and Russia.

In fact, this is not the first time that a Chinese warship has passed through the Tsugaru Strait. In 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2017, Chinese warships passed through there. In July 2017, Japan’s Ministry of Defense accused the so-called “Chinese naval vessels of entering Japan’s territorial waters through the Tsugaru Strait.” However, this was immediately sternly refuted by our Ministry of Defense: Chinese warship-related activities were in compliance with international law, and Japan’s accusations and artificial hype had ulterior motives.

The passage of the Chinese and Russian naval formations through the Tsugaru Strait is in full compliance with international law

The Tsugaru Strait is very narrow and can be clearly seen with the naked eye when ships pass by. Although the Chinese and Russian navies have previously had ships Passed, but such a majestic "passing" on such a large scale and in formation caused quite a shock among Japanese netizens.

Schematic map of the geographical location of the Tsugaru Strait

Zhang Junshe, a researcher at the Naval Research Institute, said that according to relevant international law, the Tsugaru Strait is an illegal area subject to the freedom of navigation and overflight regime. In territorial straits, warships from all countries have the right to pass normally. The Chinese and Russian naval fleets sailed into the Pacific through the Tsugaru Strait this time, which is completely in line with international law and international practice. Individual countries should not make irresponsible remarks on this.

What kind of existence is the Tsugaru Strait?

It is understood that the Tsugaru Strait is located between Japan's Honshu Island and Hokkaido Island. It is an important waterway connecting the Sea of ??Japan and the North Pacific. At a geopolitical or strategic level, it is the so-called "first island chain" "One of the important straits in the northern part of the zone.

According to Japan's "Territorial Sea and Contiguous Waters Act", the narrow Tsugaru Strait can indeed be classified into Japan's internal sea according to the 12-nautical-mile territorial sea. The entry of any country's warships is considered an invasion. But ironically, after the 1960s, in order to allow the smooth passage of US aircraft carriers and ships, Japan specifically revised its regulations and set the territorial waters of five international straits, including the Tsugaru Strait, at 3 nautical miles, leaving a The high seas channel ensures that U.S. aircraft carriers and weapons can pass through without infringing Japan's territorial waters. In this way, the middle part of the strait becomes an exclusive economic zone, which belongs to international waters where ships from other countries can pass without harm.

Japan has set aside special waterways to facilitate the passage of U.S. troops stationed in Japan

Since the middle part of the Tsugaru Strait has become non-territorial waters, not only the U.S. military can pass, but also Ships, including warships, from any other country, including China and Russia, also enjoy the right to pass normally and do not need to notify Japan in advance. This is why the Japanese Ministry of Defense had to admit this time: the passage of Chinese and Russian warships complied with international law and did not violate maritime boundaries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the Chinese and Russian fleets passing through the Tsugaru Strait

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin hosted a regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 19th.

A reporter asked that on Monday, 10 Chinese and Russian warships passed through the Tsugaru Strait between Japan's Honshu Island and Hokkaido for the first time. The Taiwan Strait and Tsugaru Strait are both legal international waters and both allow warships to sail. However, early this week, Some time ago, China said that transiting through the Taiwan Strait was shameful. I would like to ask if there are any differences or similarities between the two situations?

In response, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin responded: "You ask what the difference is between the two. What I can tell you is who is showing off force and causing trouble and provoking, and who is using freedom of navigation The international community can see clearly why the Chinese and Russian warships passing through the Tsugaru Strait are considered an invasion of Japan 2

On October 18, the Chinese and Russian navies 10 For the first time, two warships passed through Japan's Tsugaru Strait in formation at the same time. The Tsugaru Strait is a non-territorial strait subject to the freedom of navigation and overflight regime, and warships from all countries have the right to pass normally. In this regard, on the 19th, Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hitohiko Isozaki said that Japan is "highly concerned" about this and "will conduct vigilance and surveillance of the sea and airspace surrounding my country and adopt a comprehensive response posture." As for the Japanese side, this time it was highly concerned and followed, but apart from gritting its teeth and emphasizing that it "continues to closely monitor the activities of Chinese and Russian warships", it could not find any other thorns: this was a "hole" it dug itself. , even if the tooth is knocked out, it can only be swallowed in the stomach.

Since the middle part of the Tsugaru Strait has become non-territorial waters, not only the US military can pass through it, but ships and warships from any other country, including China and Russia, also enjoy normal passage. right. And there is no need to notify Japan in advance. This is why the Japanese Ministry of Defense had to admit this time: the passage of Chinese and Russian warships complied with international law and did not violate maritime boundaries.

The Chinese and Russian navies passed through the Tsugaru Strait together at this time, vividly demonstrating that China and Russia are friends, and both China and Russia can be called powerful friends. At the same time, this is also a knock on Japan’s provocation in the Indo-Pacific direction.

Some Chinese netizens "requested" in the comment area: The location of the Tsugaru Strait must be marked, "so that the majority of netizens know how relieved this is."