Japanese authorities on Tuesday said two Chinese coast guard vessels were forced to leave waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands after entering territory claimed by Tokyo and approaching a Japanese fishing boat.
The Japanese Coast Guard said it dispatched patrol vessels to shield the fishing boat while ordering the Chinese ships to exit the area. According to the agency, the vessels complied and departed Japanese-claimed territorial waters at about 9:20 a.m. local time.
Officials said four Chinese coast guard ships had been operating near the islands before two crossed into the disputed waters.
Describing the incident as a breach of international law, the Japanese Coast Guard said it would continue to respond firmly to any incursions.
It reiterated that it remains committed to protecting Japan's territorial waters and ensuring the safety of vessels operating in the area.
The latest encounter is the first reported entry by Chinese coast guard ships into the waters claimed by Japan since June 10 and comes amid persistent maritime tensions between the two countries.
The islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are administered by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing. The long-running sovereignty dispute has repeatedly triggered diplomatic protests and confrontations between the two countries' coast guard vessels.
China regularly deploys coast guard ships around the islands as part of its claim, while Japan maintains a constant maritime security presence in the area.
The East China Sea, where the islands are located, is considered strategically important because of its rich fishing grounds and potential oil and natural gas reserves.
The latest incident also comes against the backdrop of worsening political relations between Tokyo and Beijing.
Tensions have risen since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated in November that Japan could intervene militarily in the event of an attack on Taiwan. China strongly condemned the remarks, insisting Taiwan is part of its territory and warning against foreign interference.
Beijing subsequently advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Japan and introduced tighter trade measures affecting some Japanese companies, further straining bilateral relations.
Leave a Reply