PLA Eastern Theater Command delegation’s Japan visit helps reduce probability of unexpected accidents: expert

China’s Ministry of National Defense on Monday announced that a delegation of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command will visit Japan.

Experts interviewed by the Global Times said that the Eastern Theater Command delegation’s Japan visit yields positive significance, as it helps eliminate misunderstandings and misjudgments, reducing the probability of unexpected accidents.

According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, a PLA Eastern Theater Command delegation will visit Japan in mid-January under a mutual agreement.

During the visit, the delegation will meet with leaders of Japan’s Ministry of Defense and the Joint Staff of the Self-Defense Force, and visit related military units. The visit will help enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust, and promote China-Japan defense exchanges.

“Since Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba assumed office, China-Japan relations have begun to ease up and stabilize,” Lian Degui, director of the Department of Japanese Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Monday. He noted that the troops commanded by the Eastern Theater Command are in direct contact with Japan’s Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces. Against this backdrop, the Eastern Theater Command delegation’s Japan visit is particularly important.

“This is an important way to improve relations and enhance mutual trust; this move shows that the two sides are meeting each other half way, and that exchanges between the defense authorities of the two sides will help the relationship between the two countries gradually stabilize.”

The visit of the Eastern Theater Command delegation to Japan is the second exchange between the Chinese and Japanese defense authorities within two months. Prior to this, a delegation of young and middle-aged Japanese officers visited China from November 26 to December 4. Some commentators said this exchange showed a stable and positive atmosphere in the China-Japan defense relations.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said that the China-Japan young officers exchange program began in 2001, and it has played an important role in enhancing understanding and trust between the defense authorities of the two countries. The development of China-Japan defense relations should consider the overall situation and look at the long term. We are willing to work with Japan to continue to promote mutual visits and exchanges and provide positive energy for the improvement and development of bilateral relations.

From May 14 to May 20, 2024, the 13th delegation of young and middle-aged officers of the PLA visited Japan. This is the first visit to Japan by a delegation of officers of the PLA since 2019.

Military expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times on Monday that since the Eastern Theater Command is responsible for maritime and air areas including the East China Sea and the Diaoyu Islands, the theater's frontline troops have many opportunities to make contact with Japan's maritime and air forces. So the visit of the Eastern Theater Command delegation to Japan is of great significance to the defense authorities of the two countries, especially in terms of the frontline maritime and air forces of both sides facing the East China Sea. It will help eliminate misunderstandings and misjudgments between the two sides, reduce the probability of unexpected accidents, and maintain peace and stability in the region.

According to Lian’s analysis, during this exchange, China and Japan will elaborate their respective positions on issues of concern to enhance strategic mutual trust. "Such strategic mutual trust not only helps both sides understand each other's strategic intentions, but also serves as an important cornerstone for improving bilateral relations,” Lian said. 

This is not the first time officers from the PLA Eastern Theater Command to visit Japan.

According to a report by Nikkei, a general-level delegation of the PLA visited Japan in November 2018. The delegation consisted of six people, including Lieutenant General Sun Herong, deputy commander of the Eastern Theater Command. It was the first time senior officers of the PLA Eastern Theater Command have interacted and communicated with leaders of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.