A maritime confrontation occurred on December 2 near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, with both China and Japan presenting conflicting accounts. Liu Dejun, spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, stated that a Japanese fishing boat "illegally entered Chinese territorial waters" around the Diaoyu Islands, which Tokyo refers to as Senkaku. Liu added that China Coast Guard vessels "took necessary control measures and issued warnings to expel the fishing boat".
Conversely, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) reported that two China Coast Guard patrol vessels entered "its territorial waters" around the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, departing after several hours. A JCG vessel intercepted the Chinese vessels as they approached the Japanese fishing boat, demanding their departure from the waters. The JCG accused China of "violating international law", noting that the two China Coast Guard vessels and others remained in the area.
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Japan Coast Guard vessel (left) and China Coast Guard vessel (behind) in the Senkaku/Diaoyu area in April 2024. Photo: Reuters |
China's official statement emphasized its ongoing commitment to protecting its rights and enforcing laws in the waters surrounding the islands, asserting Beijing will "resolutely defend territorial sovereignty and maritime rights". The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands are an uninhabited group located approximately 1,900 km from Tokyo and 600 km from Shanghai, currently under Japanese control. Both China and Japan claim sovereignty over these islands. Following Japan's nationalization of Senkaku/Diaoyu in 2012, Chinese government vessels have increased their presence near the island group. Tensions between the two nations regarding the islands' sovereignty have persisted for many years, with Japan Coast Guard vessels frequently encountering China Coast Guard vessels and Chinese fishing boats in the area.
This latest incident comes amid rising bilateral tensions, exacerbated by remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on November 7. Takaichi had warned that Japan might take military action if Taiwan were attacked. Taiwan is located 100 km from Japan's nearest island. China reacted strongly to these statements, advising its citizens against travel to Japan. Bilateral tensions have also affected some cultural events, including a Japanese singer's performance in Shanghai on November 28, which was abruptly halted due to an unexplained power cut.
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Location of Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and Taiwan. Graphic: AFP |
China consistently views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory, ready to use all means to unify the island. Chinese leaders have repeatedly affirmed they do not rule out the use of force to reclaim the island, though their general policy favors dialogue and peaceful unification.
Pham Giang (According to AFP, SCMP)
