China has caused an international stir by unilaterally declaring a chunk of the East China Sea as its exclusive “Air Defense Identification Zone,” and requiring that all other countries file flight plans ahead of time lest they trigger a “defensive” military response. The area includes the islands claimed by both China and Japan, and essentially promises more confrontations if Japan and other nations don’t support China’s growing claims for lebensraum. Several countries have denounced China’s actions as a dangerous move that will destabilize the region, and America has come down solidly on the side of its ally Japan by flying two B-52s in a “training mission” through the region without informing Beijing ahead of time. As China has grown in economic strength it’s become more belligerent, issuing territorial claims against several neighbors including South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and India, and it’s even fought several limited wars. China has even made noises that Japan should “return” Okinawa to China based on the fact that the island kingdom paid tribute to China centuries ago. It’s a dangerous situation, and I hope things calm down soon.
Googled Pixiv for images of B-52 bombers, was not disappointed.
