Japan, US in massive show of force
Source: Agencies |
December 4, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
IN an ongoing show of force, the United States and Japan began one of their biggest military exercises yesterday, mobilizing more than 44,000 troops, hundreds of aircraft and a US supercarrier.
The drills come just after the US and South Korea concluded maneuvers in the Yellow Sea. The exercises brought immediate criticism from China.
"At present, there are already enough of these kinds of military exercises. Under the present conditions, all relevant parties ought to do more to benefit the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and not the opposite," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.
The drills in and around Japan are part of the annual "Keen Sword" maneuvers and involve tens of thousands of troops from both sides, including the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and its battle group. For the first time, the exercises also have observers from South Korea.
Japan's Defense Ministry said 34,100 Japanese personnel, 40 vessels and 250 aircraft from Japan's ground, maritime and air self-defense forces will take part, along with 10,400 troops, 20 ships and 150 aircraft from the US military.
The maneuvers are to continue until next Friday.
"By conducting exercises such as 'Keen Sword,' we are ensuring that our forces will continue to be effective in meeting the challenges of the 21st century," said Lieutenant General Hawk Carlisle, commander of the US 13th Air Force.
Officials said South Korea was included for the first time in an effort to bolster cooperation between the two neighbors.
"Japan-US cooperation, as well as our three-way cooperation that includes South Korea is extremely important for peace and stability in east Asia," Japan's Chief of Staff General Ryoichi Oriki said.
Japan has reacted with alarm to developments on the Korean Peninsula. Prime Minister Naoto Kan ordered his Cabinet ministers to stay near the capital in case of an emergency.
North Korea's state-run news agency has threatened "full-scale war" if its territory is violated by any military maneuvers. The US-Japan exercises were to be held well away from the Korean territory.
The drills come just after the US and South Korea concluded maneuvers in the Yellow Sea. The exercises brought immediate criticism from China.
"At present, there are already enough of these kinds of military exercises. Under the present conditions, all relevant parties ought to do more to benefit the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and not the opposite," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu.
The drills in and around Japan are part of the annual "Keen Sword" maneuvers and involve tens of thousands of troops from both sides, including the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and its battle group. For the first time, the exercises also have observers from South Korea.
Japan's Defense Ministry said 34,100 Japanese personnel, 40 vessels and 250 aircraft from Japan's ground, maritime and air self-defense forces will take part, along with 10,400 troops, 20 ships and 150 aircraft from the US military.
The maneuvers are to continue until next Friday.
"By conducting exercises such as 'Keen Sword,' we are ensuring that our forces will continue to be effective in meeting the challenges of the 21st century," said Lieutenant General Hawk Carlisle, commander of the US 13th Air Force.
Officials said South Korea was included for the first time in an effort to bolster cooperation between the two neighbors.
"Japan-US cooperation, as well as our three-way cooperation that includes South Korea is extremely important for peace and stability in east Asia," Japan's Chief of Staff General Ryoichi Oriki said.
Japan has reacted with alarm to developments on the Korean Peninsula. Prime Minister Naoto Kan ordered his Cabinet ministers to stay near the capital in case of an emergency.
North Korea's state-run news agency has threatened "full-scale war" if its territory is violated by any military maneuvers. The US-Japan exercises were to be held well away from the Korean territory.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
