China slams Japan’s ‘kill network’ as long-range missile deployment looms

A Japanese Type-12 surface-to-ship missile is launched by the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force at Beecroft Weapons Range near Jervis Bay, Australia, on July 22, 2025.

Photo: Australian Department of Defence via AP The official newspaper of the People’s Liberation Army has slammed Japan’s deployment of stand-off weapons, including upgraded Type-12 missiles, as forming a “kill network” capable of targeting coastal and inland areas of neighbouring countries.

Japan’s enhanced Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles are set to be deployed at Camp Kengun in Japan’s southwestern Kumamoto prefecture by the end of this month.

The missiles are capable of reaching China’s coastal cities.

On Tuesday, PLA Daily reported that the upgraded Type-12 missile featured a significantly increased range of about 1,000km (621 miles) – up from its original 200km – along with “distinct offensive capabilities and strong stealth performance”. “It is clear that this missile is transitioning from a primarily defensive weapon to a long-range system capable of striking targets in neighbouring countries,” according to the article by Hua Dan and Zhang Li of the PLA Army Engineering University.

If deployed from Kyushu Island, where Kumamoto is located, the upgraded Type-12 missiles could cover nearly the entire East China Sea and reach coastal cities in mainland China, with the aim of deterring PLA naval forces in a potential Taiwan Strait conflict.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary.

Most countries, including the United States and Japan, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

The issue of Taiwan has been a long-standing point of contention between Beijing and Tokyo, and in recent months it has spawned a diplomatic crisis.

Tensions flared after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November suggested that Japan could take military action in the event of an attack on Taiwan, prompting strong protests as well as economic and diplomatic retaliation from Beijing.

The PLA Daily article said Japan’s deployment of long-range offensive weapons revealed Tokyo’s strategic ambition to accelerate the development of stand-off strike capabilities, which allow attacks from beyond enemy air defences.

It also said the upgraded Type-12 could “form a strike combination” with another Japanese system soon to be deployed, the Hyper

原文链接: 南华早报