By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Geopolist | Istanbul Center for GeopoliticsGeopolist | Istanbul Center for GeopoliticsGeopolist | Istanbul Center for Geopolitics
  • Home
  • Geopolitics
    Geopolitics
    Discover professional insights into international relations, regional conflicts, and global power dynamics by visiting Geopolist. Keep up on the ways in which these changes impact…
    Show More
    Top News
    Outrage is not a policy: Understanding Myanmar’s complex situation.
    April 13, 2025
    Late-stage Putinism: The war in Ukraine and Russia’s shifting ideology
    August 12, 2024
    UAE Investments in Russia: A Testament to Growing Bilateral Ties 
    August 11, 2024
    Latest News
    Caught in the Heat: How Egypt’s Energy Dreams Turned Into a Strategic Trap
    June 4, 2025
    The End of Vertical War: Operation Spiderweb and the Rise of Horizontal War-Making
    June 3, 2025
    Operation Spiderweb: The Death of Strategic Depth in the Drone Age
    June 2, 2025
    Canada Seeks Entry Into EU Defense Pact After Trump Missile Demand
    May 29, 2025
  • Security
    SecurityShow More
    Operation Spiderweb: The Death of Strategic Depth in the Drone Age
    June 2, 2025
    Canada Seeks Entry Into EU Defense Pact After Trump Missile Demand
    May 29, 2025
    SAFE Plan Puts Turkey’s EU Role Back in Spotlight
    May 28, 2025
    The Fracturing Nuclear Order and the Uneasy Dawn of a Third Nuclear Age
    April 25, 2025
    Indonesia Eyes Partnership in Turkey’s KAAN Fighter Jet Program Amid Deepening Defense Ties
    April 14, 2025
  • Commentary
    CommentaryShow More
    Caught in the Heat: How Egypt’s Energy Dreams Turned Into a Strategic Trap
    June 4, 2025
    The End of Vertical War: Operation Spiderweb and the Rise of Horizontal War-Making
    June 3, 2025
    Operation Spiderweb: The Death of Strategic Depth in the Drone Age
    June 2, 2025
    Trump’s South Africa Standoff
    May 28, 2025
    Can Sanctions Win a War? The Case of Russia and Ukraine
    May 28, 2025
  • Economy
    • Energy
  • Regions
    • Europe
    • Middle East & Africa
    • Eurasia
  • Jobs
  • My Bookmarks
Reading: China Publicly Labels U.S. and Japanese Destroyers as Enemy Targets
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Geopolist | Istanbul Center for GeopoliticsGeopolist | Istanbul Center for Geopolitics
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Geopolitics
  • Security
  • Commentary
  • Economy
  • Regions
  • Jobs
  • My Bookmarks
  • Home
  • Geopolitics
  • Security
  • Commentary
  • Economy
    • Energy
  • Regions
    • Europe
    • Middle East & Africa
    • Eurasia
  • Jobs
  • My Bookmarks
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Geopolist | Istanbul Center for Geopolitics > Blog > Regions > Southeast Asia > China Publicly Labels U.S. and Japanese Destroyers as Enemy Targets
GeopoliticsSoutheast Asia

China Publicly Labels U.S. and Japanese Destroyers as Enemy Targets

Last updated: April 25, 2025 2:11 pm
By GEOPOLIST | Istanbul Center for Geopolitics Published April 25, 2025 153 Views 4 Min Read
Share
SHARE

In a rare and pointed display of military signaling, China’s navy has publicly identified U.S. and Japanese warships as enemy targets during a naval open day, drawing attention amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

During the public tour of the Nanjing, a Type 052D guided-missile destroyer in Taizhou, visitors saw an onboard display naming the U.S. Arleigh Burke-class and Japan’s Atago-class destroyers as “enemy surface vessels.” The information was part of an exhibit promoting the YJ-18A, a long-range, supersonic anti-ship cruise missile.

“The YJ-18A can strike large and medium-sized enemy surface vessels such as the U.S. Arleigh Burke-class and Japan’s Atago-class destroyers,” the display read. The exhibit touted the missile’s accuracy, supersonic terminal speed, and ability to boost China’s maritime strike capabilities.

The timing of the display appeared deliberate, coinciding with the passage of the USS William P. Lawrence, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, through the Taiwan Strait. The move, labeled “routine” by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, sparked a strong response from Chinese military officials, who accused the United States of provocation.

Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command, said Chinese forces took “lawful countermeasures” in response to the transit, and the military released footage of the U.S. warship. At a separate briefing, Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang warned that U.S. support for Taiwan would “backfire” and urged Washington to stop escalating tensions.

Military observers say the decision to publicly name adversary vessels during peacetime marks a shift in China’s defense communications. Analysts argue it reflects growing confidence within the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and signals its readiness to deter what it sees as foreign encroachment.

Wang Yanan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge, said the public mention of the U.S. and Japanese destroyers shows “clear internal consensus” within the PLA. He noted that the YJ-18A’s reported range of more than 600 kilometers and terminal speed exceeding Mach 3 gives it a significant advantage over older systems like the U.S. Harpoon missile, which remains subsonic and has a shorter reach.

“In a one-on-one encounter, a Type 052D can engage an Arleigh Burke from outside its strike range,” Wang said, noting the PLA’s confidence in its close-in weapon systems to intercept return fire.

Japan’s Atago-class destroyers, with similar features to later Arleigh Burke variants, are seen as offering limited additional defense against the YJ-18A, Wang added.

The development comes as Japan invests in next-generation Aegis destroyers with advanced radar systems, expected to enter service by 2028. Meanwhile, China has continued to highlight its modernization efforts, including unveiling its 10,000-ton Type 055 destroyer.

China’s identification of named enemy vessels marks a new phase in regional military posturing. While it is not unusual for militaries to plan against potential adversaries, publicly identifying them in this manner during peacetime is seen by analysts as a deliberate form of strategic messaging.

The move reflects the broader trend of hardening rhetoric and military preparedness in the Indo-Pacific as U.S.-China tensions persist over Taiwan and regional maritime control.

Read more here.

You Might Also Like

Caught in the Heat: How Egypt’s Energy Dreams Turned Into a Strategic Trap

The End of Vertical War: Operation Spiderweb and the Rise of Horizontal War-Making

Operation Spiderweb: The Death of Strategic Depth in the Drone Age

Canada Seeks Entry Into EU Defense Pact After Trump Missile Demand

Trump’s South Africa Standoff

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article The Fracturing Nuclear Order and the Uneasy Dawn of a Third Nuclear Age
Next Article The Saudi-Israeli Blueprint: From Arab revolt, 9/11 to Assad’s Downfall

Stay Connected

TwitterFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Latest News

Can Sanctions Win a War? The Case of Russia and Ukraine
Commentary Economy Eurasia Geopolitics
Frozen Ambitions: How the Kremlin Made the Arctic Its Next Battleground
Commentary Geopolitics
Why a Stronger Yuan Could Be China’s Boldest Bet Yet
Commentary Economy Geopolitics
Trump’s Self-Sabotage Is Hurting the Dollar—and America’s Future
Commentary Economy Geopolitics

Find Us on Socials

© GeoPolist. All Rights Reserved.
  • Submit an Op-Ed
  • Jobs
  • Post Jobs & Ads for Free
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?