HOW THE DRAGON ROARS AGAINST THE SUN: THE OPERATIONAL-TACTICAL DIMENSION’S OF CHINA MILITARY OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR WITH JAPAN OVER THE DISPUTE ISLANDS OF DIAOYU / SENKAKU ISLAND (2012-2020)

Abstract

In recent years, the relations between China and Japan are becoming increasingly worse. The deteriorating relation of the two is mainly caused by an ongoing dispute on Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands. But, after the detainment of Chinese crews who entered Japanese waters near the Senkaku by the Japanese authorities and the Japan government’s decision to buy the Islands in 2010 and 2012 respectively, China has ramped up Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) near the Islands. Based on this, it is imperative to find out how China perceives MOOTW and to identify To identify what forms of MOOTW the Chinese have employed towards Japan over the issue of Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands. The necessity to study this comes from the realization that China is becoming more aggressive in the process achieving their national interest, especially if it related to maritime claims. Gaining insights from China’s MOOTW would be a huge lesson for other countries have similar maritime disputes with China. In order to achieve the aforemention goal, this thesis utilizes qualitaitve method that relies on secondary data, such as Japanese governmental report, literatures written by Chinese native scholars, as well as Japanese and Chinese news. This study finds that China perceives the concept of MOOTW not too different that what is understood in the West. In addition, this study findsthat China employs MOOTW towardsJapan in three types, consisting of general type (through threats to use force and military basing), air type (through air patrolsand creating Air Defense Identification Zones), and maritime type (through maritime patrols)