RUMORS OF WAR – China Warns Japan that Military Will Not Sit Idly By’ in South China Sea

As Tokyo begins to play a more active role in the South China Sea, Beijing has warned against any provocations. Tensions have escalated between China and Japan over a territorial dispute in the East China Sea, where both nations claim ownership over a string of islands called the Senkakus.

But Japan is also in talks with the Pentagon to join military patrols in the South China Sea, a move Beijing warned against on Thursday. “We must solemnly tell Japan this is a miscalculation. If Japan wants to have joint patrol or drills in waters under Chinese jurisdiction this really is playing with fire,” Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said, according to Deutsche Welle. READ MORE