TOKYO: The japanese lodged a protest with China upon Monday (Jul 4) over a Chinese naval vessel sailing near disputed islands, a Japanese official mentioned, as reports emerged associated with Russia also delivering its own navy ship to the area.
The islets in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku by Tokyo and the Diaoyu by Beijing, are at the centre of a long-running challenge between Japan and China.
Japan officials regularly demonstration the presence of Chinese coastguard vessels in waters near the islands, however it is the first time given that 2018 that a navy blue ship has been spotted there, according to general public broadcaster NHK.
At around seven. 44 am on Monday, a Chinese navy frigate “was observed entering Japan’s contiguous waters” south west of one of the Tokyo-controlled islands, a statement from the Japanese defence ministry said.
Contiguous waters are a 12-nautical-mile band that will extends beyond territorial waters.
“We expressed grave worries and lodged our protest to the Chinese side through a diplomatic route, and advised them to prevent a repeat” of comparable incidents, deputy main cabinet secretary Seiji Kihara told reporters.
The islets “are Japanese territory from the viewpoints of both history and international law”, he or she added.
Learning much more on: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/japan-protests-chinese-navy-sailing-near-disputed-islands-2788221