The Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Suzutsuki. Photo: Kyodo
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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.