China feels Threatened by New AEGIS-equipped Japanese Destroyer

Japan’s newest AEGIS-equipped destroyer, which will be furnished with major weapons systems, will reportedly strengthen the country’s maritime air defense capability and potentially targeting China and threatening other countries, according to Chinese experts. 

Zhang Junshe, a senior research fellow at the People's Liberation Army Naval Military Studies Research Institute, told the Global Times on Sunday that the latest Aegis destroyer equipped with Co-operative Engagement Capability (CEC) system, which is developed by the US Navy, creates network within the ship for sharing real-time movements of enemy targets as well as the battlefield situation.

The 27DDG-class is the seventh Aegis destroyer in the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, Japan-based News Jiji Press reported. 

Expected to enter service by 2020, the unnamed destroyer is the first Japanese ship to be equipped with CEC. 

CEC will strengthen intelligence data sharing with the US, Zhang said, and strengthen their military alliance. From the US perspective, it can better control Japan, Zhang said.

Although allegedly aimed at North Korea, CEC also targets China, he said. 

"Once absolute security is realized by Japan and the US, they could attack other countries without scruples," Zhang said, "which will certainly destabilize other regions".