Is the China-Japan Defense Hotline Ineffective?

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) Akizuki class destroyer, the Suzutsuki, entered Chinese territorial waters off the eastern province of Zhejiang last week, despite repeated warnings from Chinese vessels, according to diplomatic sources. Both Japan and China opted to use diplomatic channels to resolve the incident, calling into question the effectiveness of the China-Japan Defense Hotline, established to deconflict incidents like this..Incident Details and Initial Reactions.The incident occurred on July 4 as the Suzutsuki was monitoring Chinese military drills in the high seas. Beijing expressed serious concern about the destroyer to Tokyo, prompting the Japanese Defense Ministry to launch an investigation into the ship's captain. The ministry declined to comment on Self-Defense Forces operations..Zhejiang authorities had established a no-sail zone for a live-fire drill a day before the destroyer's incursion, raising risks of a potential confrontation. Chinese officials suspect the incident was an "intentional provocation" and are collecting and analyzing information..The Suzutsuki, which has previously monitored the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning, ventured within 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) of the coast, remaining in Chinese waters for about 20 minutes before departing. This move contrasts with typical Japanese practices of avoiding such close proximity to Zhejiang's territorial waters..An unofficial Japanese statement suggested the entry might have been a "procedural error," though Chinese security experts doubt this explanation due to the high skill levels of the MSDF crew. The incident has reignited debates over the right to "innocent passage" under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, with Tokyo asserting the Suzutsuki's entry was legal, while Beijing contends it violated Chinese law requiring prior permission for foreign vessels..Questioning the Effectiveness of the Defense Hotline.Notably, China and Japan did not use their newly established defense hotline during this incident, instead opting for traditional diplomatic channels. The hotline, part of the Maritime and Aerial Communication Mechanism launched in 2018, was designed to prevent such incidents and build mutual trust. The direct communication line, agreed upon in 2007 and set up by March last year, was reaffirmed by both nations' defense ministers in Singapore in June. The decision to bypass the hotline has called into question its effectiveness in crisis management..Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that China has protested the "illegal and improper moves" of the Japanese vessel and requested a thorough investigation and assurances against future occurrences. Meanwhile, some officials believe the defense hotline could have mitigated the situation more effectively, highlighting a need for better utilization of the communication tool in future incidents.