China and Japan reported on Tuesday that their coast guard ships had a face-off in waters around disputed islands in the volatile East China Sea.
China’s Comments
China said that on Monday, its coast guard drove away several Japanese vessels that had “illegally” entered its territorial waters near the Diaoyu islands. It also urged Tokyo to stop all “illegal activities” in the area.
Japan, which claims ownership of the disputed islands as well, recognises them by the name of Senkaku islands and also controls them.
Japan’s Comments
Meanwhile, the Japanese coast guard said in a press release that it ordered two Chinese coast guard vessels to leave the waters around the islands and also sent its ships to prevent them from approaching Japanese fishing boats.
The uninhabited islands have long been a bone of contention between the two countries.
#Japan will deploy advanced F-35 stealth fighters and anti-ship missiles to its southern island of Kyushu next year.
— Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Defense News (@IndoPac_Info) October 10, 2023
Japanese media say the move is a response to #China's intimidation of #Taiwanpic.twitter.com/PVyp1r6U6l
The island chain is located about 1,931 kilometres southwest of Tokyo and has been administered by Japan since 1972. However, China asserts that the islands are an “inherent part” of Chinese territory, saying that its claims to the isles date back hundreds of years.
Bilateral Tensions
Last November, it was reported that Japan is considering increasing the range of a new high-speed missile beyond 1,000 kilometres to help better defend its remote islands, including the Senkakus.
In February, both sides participated in the 17th China-Japan security dialogue and the 29th regular diplomatic consultation in Tokyo, during which China raised the issue of the “return of unilateralism, protectionism, and a Cold War mentality.”
Its comment was a reference to tensions between the two countries running high due to Japan’s support for Ukraine and its growing criticism of Chinese aggression in the region.
To help ease tensions, the defence ministries of China and Japan set up a new maritime and air liaison mechanism direct phone line, which they used for the first time in May.