A U.S. plan to deploy sophisticated missiles on a Japanese island chain close to Taiwan is prompting angry responses from both China and its close ally Russia.
The United States is drawing up a joint military plan with Japan to deploy High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and other weapons to Japan’s Nansei islands.
The plan is expected to be completed by December.
The island chain stretches from Japan’s main islands to within 200 kilometers of Taiwan and includes Okinawa, which has a major U.S. military presence.
The U.S. could use the missiles to defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese invasion of the self-ruled island, which Beijing claims as a renegade province.
The plan, the first joint operation by the U.S. and Japan to prepare for a war between Taiwan and China, will involve sending the U.S.
Marine Corps regiment that possesses HIMARS and setting up temporary bases on the Nansai islands to station them, said Kyodo.
The Japan Self-Defense Forces would be expected to provide logistic support, including fuel and ammunition.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson criticized the reported plan at a press conference, saying, “China opposes relevant countries using the Taiwan question as an excuse to strengthen military deployment in the region, heighten tensions and confrontation, and disturb regional peace and stability.”
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova responded with a stronger statement, warning that her country would respond to the deployment with “necessary and proportionate steps” to strengthen its defense capabilities.
