Japanese Report Claims Chinese Navy Breaks Through the First Island Chain http://www.sina.com.cn February 11, 2012, 11:41 AM Global Times Weibo Reference photo: The Chinese Navy enters the Western Pacific. People's Daily Online, Tokyo, February 10 (reporter Yu Qing) - On February 10, the think tank of Japan's Ministry of Defense, the "Defense Institute," released the "China Security Report 2011" which focuses on analyzing China's maritime trends. The report argues that almost all territorial issues China currently faces are at sea, and ensuring the safety of maritime traffic lines is crucial for China's economic development. China has shown a non-compromising attitude and means to protect its rights, and its rise in the military sector is also significant, contributing to China's overall tough stance, which has both direct and indirect impacts on Japan's security. With the enhancement of naval equipment, China’s naval strategy and combat range have surpassed the first island chain and gradually expanded towards the second island chain, while also seeking to strengthen its "distant sea" maneuvering combat capabilities. The U.S., on the other hand, believes that China is seeking to enhance its "anti-access and area denial" capabilities, and is deeply cautious about it. The report argues that from both an economic development strategy and a military strategy perspective, China is increasing its efforts towards the ocean, but so far, the Chinese government has not yet proposed a comprehensive maritime strategy. In the future, with the justification of participating in long-distance cooperation, besides planning to build large supply ships, China may also seek overseas bases for conducting long-distance activities as it rises. As China grows, its desire to change the international system and rules begins to expand. Apart from the preface and conclusion, the report consists of four parts: China heading towards the ocean, China causing friction in the South China Sea, the advancing Chinese Navy into the outer seas, and the rising influence of the People's Liberation Army in foreign policy. There are also four columns: anti-ship ballistic missiles, China's position on foreign military activities within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), political work in the Somali Sea and Gulf of Aden, and China's aircraft carrier plans. The "China Security Report" issued by Japan's Defense Institute is an annual report analyzing China's security strategies and military trends from a medium to long-term perspective. The inaugural issue was published last April, and this year marks the second edition. This report contains misunderstandings and biases towards China, and also has a certain misleading effect on public opinion and policy orientation.