Tokyo Vows 'Firm' Response to Beijing for Hundreds of Ships in East China Sea

sputniknews.com

In the wake of the Hague’s recent ruling on the South China Sea, tensions between Japan and China over another long-lasting territorial dispute in the East China Sea have increased dramatically, with both parties claiming rights to the Senkaku/Diaoyudao Islands and surrounding waters.

On Monday, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga accused Beijing of 14 violations throughout the past weekend...

Suga said that Japan’s Coast Guard will work with other national agencies to respond to developments. The Japanese Defense Minister, Tomomi Inada, also added that air raids over Chinese vessels will be conducted.

On Sunday, the Chinese State Oceanic Administration (SOA) reported two Coast Guard ships conducting raids near Diaoyudao Islands, the Chinese name for the Senkaku Islands. A day earlier, some 230 Chinese fishing boats had been spotted in the same area by the Japanese side, causing Tokyo’s sharp response.

According to Japanese authorities, 14 Chinese ships have sailed into the waters near the Senkaku since Friday, and 12 remain there as of Monday. Additionally, Japan discovered Chinese surface radar on a gas drilling platform on the southeast border of the region, said to be designed to detect ships.

The incidents led to a tense diplomatic exchange between the countries. Japan’s foreign ministry summoned Chinese diplomats on Saturday, calling the crossings an “unacceptable” act that raises tensions. The same day Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying issued a response on the government site, claiming Beijing has sovereignty over the islands and surrounding waters.

The confrontation between the two neighbors over the East China Sea commenced following the end of the World War II, when Tokyo occupied large swaths of Chinese lands.