TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan protested to Beijing on Friday after four Chinese armed coast guard vessels entered what it considers to be Japanese territorial waters.
Japan’s government said it was the first time that four Chinese vessels equipped with what appeared to be artillery cannons had entered Japanese territorial waters in the East China Sea surrounding the disputed islands that Tokyo calls the Senkakus and Beijing calls the Diaoyus.
“I am not in a position to comment on China’s intentions, but the intrusion of vessels belonging to the China Coast Guard into our territory is a violation of international law,” he said. Yoshimasa Hayashi He spoke at a press conference.
China’s coast guard said it had patrolled the area with weaponized vessels.
The ministry said the patrol was a “routine operation” to safeguard sovereignty, security and maritime interests, and was a “necessary measure” for peace and stability and to counter Japan’s recent “negative moves.”
“We urge the Japanese side to be more cautious in their words and actions, reflect on themselves and stop their provocative behavior,” the China Coast Guard said, adding that it would step up so-called “law enforcement efforts.”
Hayashi said the Japanese government had “strongly protested” through diplomatic channels and called for the four ships to immediately withdraw from the area. He said the four ships remained in the area for more than an hour before leaving just after midday.
Hayashi said, “This intrusion into our territorial waters is extremely regrettable and totally unacceptable. We will continue to be vigilant and monitor the area around the Senkaku Islands with a sense of urgency, and will respond calmly and resolutely to the Chinese side.”
The two countries have repeatedly faced off around uninhabited islands under Japanese control.
Clashes between China and the Philippine navy have also intensified in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
(Reporting by Changran Kim; Additional reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Alex Richardson and Christina Fincher)
