WASHINGTON/HONG KONG – The U.S. Congress is conducting rigorous investigations into the UAP phenomenon. UAP, or unidentified aerial phenomena, is the term that has replaced the old-fashioned UFOs. Many officials from the military and the government regard UAP as a potential threat to national security. But how does the rest of the world view this issue? What are the policies and perspectives for instance in Asia on the mysterious encounters with the UAP in the skies?
South Asia:
South Asia is a region that includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. According to some researchers, South Asia has a relatively high number of UAP or UFO sightings, especially in India. Some of the most famous cases include:
– The 1968 sighting of a cigar-shaped object over Delhi airport, which caused panic and confusion among air traffic controllers and pilots.
– The 1976 sighting of a disc-shaped object over Jammu and Kashmir, which was witnessed by several Indian Air Force personnel and civilians.
– The 2007 sighting of a triangular object over Kolkata, which was captured on video by a TV crew and reported by several media outlets.
However, despite these and other reports, there seems to be a lack of official interest and investigation by the authorities in South Asia. Most of the sightings are either ignored, dismissed, or explained away as natural phenomena, atmospheric anomalies, or human-made objects. There is no evidence of any official disclosure or acknowledgment of the UAP or UFO phenomenon by any of the governments or militaries in the region.
Some possible reasons for this lack of official response are:
– The low priority given to the UAP or UFO phenomenon in comparison to other pressing security and development issues in the region.
– The cultural and religious factors that may influence the perception and interpretation of UAP or UFO sightings as supernatural or divine events rather than physical or technological ones.
– The fear of ridicule or stigma that may deter witnesses from reporting their experiences or authorities from investigating them.
South East Asia:
Southeast Asia is a region that includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei and the Philippines. According to some researchers, South East Asia has a moderate number of UAP or UFO sightings, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. Some of the most famous cases include:
– The 1979 sighting of a bright object over Medan, Indonesia, which was witnessed by thousands of people and caused a power outage in the city.
– The 1980 sighting of a metallic object over Kota Bharu, Malaysia, which was chased by two Royal Malaysian Air Force jets and caused radar interference.
– The 1995 sighting of a triangular object over Jakarta, Indonesia, which was filmed by a TV crew and broadcasted live on national television.
However, similar to South Asia, there seems to be a lack of official interest and investigation by the authorities in Southeast Asia. Most of the sightings are either ignored, dismissed, or explained away as natural phenomena, atmospheric anomalies, or human-made objects. There is no evidence of any official disclosure or acknowledgment of the UAP or UFO phenomenon by any of the governments or militaries in the region.
Some possible reasons for this lack of official response are:
– The low priority given to the UAP or UFO phenomenon in comparison to other pressing security and development issues in the region.
– The political sensitivity and instability that may discourage authorities from addressing controversial or divisive topics that may provoke public reactions or foreign interference.
– The influence of traditional beliefs and superstitions that may affect the perception and interpretation of UAP or UFO sightings as omens or signs rather than physical or technological ones.
East Asia:
East Asia is a region that includes China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, and Mongolia. We will focus on three major countries: China, Japan, and South Korea. We will examine their official stance, public opinion, and notable incidents involving UAP in their airspace.
China: Skepticism and Secrecy
China has not officially acknowledged the existence of UAP, nor has it disclosed any information on its research or response to the phenomenon. However, some experts believe that China is secretly studying UAP for military and technological purposes. According to Chen Li, a former researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China has been collecting and analyzing UAP data since the 1970s. He claims that China has developed a special radar system that can detect UAPs and track their movements.
China’s public opinion on UAP is largely skeptical and dismissive. A 2017 survey by China Youth Daily found that only 7.6% of respondents believed in UAP, while 45.6% did not. Most Chinese media outlets also tend to ridicule or ignore UAP reports, often attributing them to natural phenomena, optical illusions, or human-made objects.
However, there have been some notable incidents involving UAPs in China that have attracted attention and controversy. One of the most famous cases occurred in 2010, when a UAP appeared over Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, causing flights to be delayed or diverted. The incident sparked a media frenzy and speculation about the nature and origin of the object. The official explanation was that it was a military test, but some witnesses and experts disputed this claim.
Japan: Curiosity and Caution
Japan has shown more openness and interest in UAP than China but also maintains a cautious and pragmatic approach. In 2020, Japan’s Defense Ministry announced that it would establish protocols for dealing with UAP sightings by its military personnel. The ministry also said that it would cooperate with the U.S. in sharing information and analysis on UAP.
Japan’s public opinion on UAPs is more diverse and tolerant than China’s. A 2018 survey by NHK found that 29% of respondents believed in UAP, while 39% did not. The survey also revealed that 68% of respondents were interested in UAPs, while 24% were not. Japan’s media outlets also tend to report on UAPs more frequently and seriously than China’s, often featuring interviews with experts and witnesses.
Japan has also experienced some intriguing incidents involving UAPs in its airspace. One of the most recent cases occurred in 2018, when two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) pilots encountered a mysterious white object flying at high speed near Tokyo. The pilots reported that the object was spherical and had no wings or tail. They tried to chase it, but it disappeared from their radar and visual range. The JASDF could not identify the object or its origin.
South Korea: Indifference and Ignorance
South Korea has shown little interest or concern about UAPs, compared to China and Japan. South Korea’s Defense Ministry has not issued any official statement or policy on UAPs, nor has it confirmed or denied any cooperation with the U.S. on the issue. South Korea’s military personnel are also not required to report or record any UAP sightings.
South Korea’s public opinion on UAPs is also low and indifferent. A 2019 survey by Gallup Korea found that only 9% of respondents believed in UAPs, while 76% did not. The survey also showed that 58% of respondents were not interested in UAPs, while 34% were somewhat interested. South Korea’s media outlets also rarely covers UAP stories, unless they are sensational or humorous.
South Korea has also witnessed a few incidents involving UAPs in its airspace. One of the most notable cases occurred in 2003 when a Korean Air passenger plane reported seeing a bright green flash near Jeju Island. The flash was captured by a camera on board the plane, but no other evidence was found. The official explanation was that it was a meteor or space debris, but some experts suggested that it could have been a UAP.
Conclusion
As we have seen, East Asia has different policies and perspectives on UAPs, ranging from skepticism and secrecy in China, to curiosity and caution in Japan, to indifference and ignorance in South Korea. These differences reflect their historical, cultural, and geopolitical contexts, as well as their strategic and scientific interests. However, as UAPs become more prevalent and prominent in the global arena, East Asia may need to reconsider its stance and response to the phenomenon. UAPs may pose a challenge or an opportunity for East Asia, depending on how it approaches and understands it. (zi)