Retired People's Liberation Army (PLA) Major General Luo Yuan, who is presently Vice President of the China Strategy Culture Promotion Association in Beijing, recently told Hong Kong's South China Morning Post that a war with Japan over territorial disputes is becoming increasingly likely after China established the Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). He added, however, that China is more than capable of defending itself. 

Advising that "China should remain in a high state of vigilance because Japan has a history of manufacturing small incidents to trigger military conflict," he disclosed that "So far, all aircraft sent by both countries to the Diaoyu waters have been third-generation fighter jets. The PLA's newest and most advanced planes entered service at the turn of this century, including the J-10, J-11B and the [Russian-made] Su-27. In contrast, Japan has deployed to the region only about 30 F-15Js, which their air force has used since the 1980s." The PLA has also deployed its most advanced aircraft and logistical support to military bases along China's southeast coast, a move designed to show that the army is prepared for any military conflict in the area. He pointed out that "China has several military airports along the southeast coast that could provide effective logistical support to PLA fighter jets because those air force bases are much closer to the Diaoyus, but in Japan, there is just one airport close to the Diaoyus: Naha airport in Okinawa."