PH backs Japan amid China's radar incident involving aircraft

The Department of National Defense (DND) expressed "deep concern" over China's radar illumination incident that targeted a Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft.

The December 6 incident happened over international waters near the Okinawa Prefecture.

"China’s latest unsafe and escalatory actions underscore a pattern of reckless behavior that threatens regional stability, undermines established norms, and threatens states conducting lawful and responsible operations." DND said in a statement.

"This dangerous act has no place in international airspace and underscores the urgency of upholding the rules-based order that keeps the Indo-Pacific stable," it added.

It said the Philippines "stands with Japan and all like-minded partners who choose transparency, restraint, and adherence to international law over intimidation and provocation."

A Reuters report said the United States criticized China for aiming radars at Japanese military aircraft during a training exercise last week, an incident over which the Asian neighbours have given differing accounts as tensions escalate.

The run-in near Japan's Okinawa islands comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi triggered a dispute with Beijing last month with her remarks on how Tokyo might react to a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan.

China claims democratically governed Taiwan and has not ruled out using force to take control of the island, which sits just over 100 km (62 miles) from Japanese territory and is surrounded by sea lanes on which Tokyo relies.

"China's actions are not conducive to regional peace and stability," a State Department spokesperson said late on Tuesday, referring to the radar incident.

"The U.S.-Japan Alliance is stronger and more united than ever. Our commitment to our ally Japan is unwavering, and we are in close contact on this and other issues."

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara welcomed the comments, saying they "demonstrate the strong U.S.-Japan alliance". —With a Reuters report/GMA Integrated News