It does not take much to trigger a security crisis between countries.
All that is required is a precipitating event — usually military in nature — that creates uncertainty, danger and patterns of decision-making that are different from steady state dealings. While increased tensions are always possible no matter the circumstance, a crisis accelerates escalation cycles with the real possibility of decisions that result in damage or loss of life.
China was not likely seeking to trigger a crisis when it initiated its carrier-based training in the waters offshore from Okinawa Prefecture, but it nearly got one owing to the reckless behavior of its forces. Coming at a time when the Chinese government has already escalated tensions unilaterally, the lack of responsible coordination for employment of its military forces in areas around Japan and the unprofessional conduct by its personnel resulted in a completely avoidable confrontation between Chinese and Japanese fighter aircraft.
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