- Chinese embassy lodges solemn representations over ‘infringement and provocation’ after confrontation near the Diaoyu Islands, called Senkaku by Japan
- Group including former Japanese defence minister Tomomi Inada spent three hours near the islands on inspection trip, NHK reports
According to reports from China’s embassy in Tokyo and Japanese media, the coast guard of China engaged with Japanese lawmakers in disputed waters in the East China Sea. This incident is part of a pattern of maritime disputes between China and its neighboring countries. The Chinese embassy stated that Chinese vessels took necessary law enforcement actions and expressed their concerns over Japan’s actions near the uninhabited islands known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.
The Japanese delegation, which included ex-Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, was participating in an inspection tour arranged by the city of Ishigaki in Okinawa prefecture, as reported by the Chinese embassy and Japanese public broadcaster NHK. Tensions between Japan and China have been ongoing over the Japan-administered islands. Additionally, China has been involved in increasing conflicts with the Philippine navy in disputed regions of the South China Sea, where Beijing’s extensive maritime claims clash with those of several Southeast Asian nations.
Officials from Japan’s foreign ministry were unavailable for comment after working hours. The Chinese embassy strongly urged Japan to adhere to a consensus reached between the two countries, cease political provocations, on-site incidents, and the manipulation of public opinion.