The Chinese military fires live rounds during some of its drills in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. The PRC is not as understanding about live fire during drills in the area by opposing militaries, like that of Japan, which recently participated in a military exercise with the U.S., the Philippines, Australia, and other countries (Reuters, May 6, 2026).
During the exercise, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces “fired a Type 88 anti‑ship missile…hitting a decommissioned Philippine Navy ship in waters facing the South China Sea.”
The drill took place as Manila and Tokyo began talks on a potential defence equipment transfer, made possible by Japan’s decision to scrap restrictions on military exports.
Discussions include the possible early transfer of Abukuma class destroyers and TC-90 aircraft to the Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP], Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said….
“The exercise showcased coordinated maritime strike operations among allied forces and highlighted the AFP’s growing capability to operate alongside international partners in promoting regional security and freedom of navigation,” [the office of the Philippine president] said in a statement….
The live-fire drill was part of the annual war games held by Manila and Washington, known as “Balikatan”, or “shoulder-to-shoulder”.
Japan, together with Canada, France and New Zealand, is joining Balikatan as an active participant for the first time, highlighting Manila’s widening network of security partnerships….
More than 17,000 troops are taking part in this year’s exercises, including around 1,400 from defence treaty ally Japan and 10,000 from the United States, even though Washington remains heavily engaged in the Middle East.
China is irked when anybody else in the vicinity conducts military drills, including drills made advisable by its own belligerence. China is specifically irked by Japan’s participation and firing of a missile, which it calls proof of “neo-militarism.”
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, the recent drill illustrates “the Japanese right-wing forces’ push for accelerated remilitarization of Japan. They have repeatedly breached Japan’s exclusively defense-oriented policy and relevant rules in international and domestic laws. Some of their policies and moves have gone far beyond the scope of self-defense.”
Which of Japan’s policies and moves have gone “far beyond the scope of self-defense”? The self-defense of a country involves more than waiting until the moment one is attacked to do anything. Of course, the CCP wants the Japan of 2026 to feel so guilty about the conduct of the Japan of the 1930s and 1940s that it ignores the actual requirements of its defense today.
