China Just Claimed Sovereignty off Japan’s Yonaguni — Then Sent in 10 Bombers | Taiwan Talks EP869

China is expanding its presence along the First Island Chain, sending coast guard vessels into waters south of Japan’s Yonaguni Island and challenging maritime boundaries near Taiwan and the Philippines. The move comes amid a series of coordinated Chinese and Russian bomber patrols around Japan and growing accusations from Beijing that Tokyo is pursuing “militarization.” Yet Japan argues the opposite — that China’s rapid military expansion, coercive maritime activities and growing nuclear arsenal are driving countries across the region to strengthen their defenses. Is Beijing creating the very security network it hopes to prevent? In this episode, we examine China’s latest actions near Yonaguni, the intensifying contest along the First Island Chain and what it means for Japan, Taiwan and the future of Indo-Pacific security.

*Recorded on July 2, 2026 at 4:30pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat
Producer: Miguel Yang
Consultant: Max Yu
Research Assistant: April Lin

Our guests:

Igata Akira
- University of Tokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) Economic Security Intelligence Lab Project Lecturer
Alexander Huang
- Council on Strategic and Wargaming Studies Chair
Michael Chen
- Democratic Progressive Party International Affairs Director

Chapters:
00:00:00 – China Claims Sovereignty Near Japan
00:03:13 – Beijing's Hypocritical ‘Militarization’ Claim
00:14:28 – China Sets Up Navigation in Neighbors’ EEZs
00:20:26 – US Reveals Exercises Aimed at Deterring China




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