China’s People’s Liberation Army sharply condemned Japan’s planned deployment of upgraded Type‑12 surface-to-ship missiles, warning that the move could establish a “kill network” capable of striking both coastal and inland targets in neighbouring countries. The criticism comes as Tokyo prepares to expand its long-range strike capabilities amid rising tensions over Taiwan and the East China Sea.The enhanced Type‑12 missiles are due to be deployed at Camp Kengun in southwestern Kumamoto prefecture by the end of this month. PLA Daily reported that the missiles’ range has been extended to about 1,000 km (621 miles), up from 200 km, giving them “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,” wrote Hua Dan and Zhang Li of the PLA Army Engineering University in the report.According to the article, if stationed on 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 regards Taiwan as part of China and has repeatedly warned it reserves the right to use force to bring the island under its control. Most countries, including the United States and Japan, do not recognise Taiwan as independent, but Washington opposes any attempt to seize the self-ruled island by force and remains committed to supplying it with defensive weapons.Taiwan has long been a point of tension between Beijing and Tokyo, and recent months have seen a diplomatic flare-up. Tensions escalated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Japan could intervene militarily in the event of an attack on Taiwan, prompting strong protests as well as economic and diplomatic retaliation from Beijing.The PLA Daily report said Japan’s deployment of long-range offensive weapons reflected a strategic push to accelerate the development of stand-off strike capabilities, which allow attacks from beyond enemy air defences. It noted that the upgraded Type‑12 could “form a strike combination” with another Japanese system soon to be deployed, the Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP).The ground-launched hypersonic glide weapon is reportedly scheduled for deployment at Japan Ground Self-Defence Force Camp Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture on March 31. The missile, with a reported range of 500–900 km and a more advanced version under development expected to exceed 3,000 km, is designed to penetrate enemy air defences at high speed, paving the way for follow-up precision strikes by cruise missiles.Japan’s broader stand-off strike capability also includes hypersonic cruise missiles, US-made Tomahawks, air-launched Joint Strike Missiles (JSMs), and Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missiles (JASSMs).According to PLA Daily, “Once this system is completed, the Japan Self-Defence Forces will have a multilayered offensive kill network … thus possessing the ability to strike targets along the coasts and inland areas of neighbouring countries.”The article accused Japan’s right-wing forces of using an external threat to justify a military build-up aimed at turning the country into a “military power.” It concluded: “Their insistence on developing offensive weapons and accelerating military build-up will ultimately lead to self-destruction.”
