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| A Chinese Coast Guard vessel (File Photo) |
By Shannon Tiezzi
For the first time, China sent an armed vessel into disputed waters near the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.
For the first time, China has sent an armed Coast Guard vessel near disputed islands in the East China Sea, according to Japan’s Coast Guard. Reuters reports that the Chinese ship, which appeared to be equipped with four gun turrets, sailed within 30 kilometers (18 miles) of part of the Senkaku/Diaoyu island group, which are claimed by both Japan and China.
“We have delivered our strong protest and requested (the Chinese coastguard) to stop the activities near the Senkaku Islands immediately,” a spokesperson for Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Reuters.
China’s own foreign ministry retorted that, as the Diaoyu Islands “have been part of China’s territory since ancient times… It is totally justified for Chinese coastguard vessels to patrol waters near Diaoyu Dao.” Spokesperson Hong Lei added that the equipment on the vessel was “standard” and “no different from other countries’ practice.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat