A Chinese naval flotilla including two destroyers sailed through waters near Japanese islands on Tuesday, further fuelling tensions, in what one commentator said was a sign of things to come.
The seven warships --- at least one of which was capable of firing missiles -- passed close to territory internationally recognised as Japanese. The two nations are already embroiled in a bitter wrangle over a separate island chain.
A defence ministry spokesman said it was the first time the Chinese navy had used the passage, but Ryo Sahashi, a specialist in international politics at Kanagawa University said it would not be the last.
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