China says ‘expelled’ Japanese ship from waters near disputed islands

China’s coast guard says it has “discarded” a Japanese ship that entered the waters around disputed islands. file | Photo Credit: AP

China’s coast guard said on Thursday (Oct 17, 2024) it had “dispelled” a Japanese ship that had ventured into the waters around disputed islands, as Beijing continues to press its territorial claims .

The uninhabited islands – known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan – are claimed by Beijing but administered by Tokyo and are frequent hotspots in bilateral tensions.

Beijing coast guard spokesman Liu Dejun said a Japanese fishing boat “illegally entered territorial waters” around the islands from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Also read: Japan names disputed islands in East China Sea

The coast guard “took necessary control measures in accordance with law, warned (the ship) and expelled it”, Mr Liu said in an online statement.

“The Diaoyu and associated islands are China’s inherent territories, and we also Urge the Japanese side to immediately stop all illegal activities In these waters,” he said.

Also read: Tide of differences between China, Japan

“Chinese coast guard ships will continue to carry out maritime rights protection and law enforcement activities to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests.”

Japan’s coast guard also said on Thursday (October 17, 2024) that its patrol ships were monitoring four Chinese coast guard vessels near the islands.

It said a Japanese fishing boat was spotted about 10 km (6.2 miles) west of the largest landmass in the group as of 9 a.m. Wednesday (0100 GMT).

Beijing has said several times this year that it has driven Japanese ships away from the islands.

But Japanese officials have said AFP Chinese officials sometimes announce expulsions when nothing has happened.

In recent months, China has more vigorously pressed its extensive territorial claims in the East and South China Seas.

This has especially reawakened Years old dispute with Philippines Control of disputed reefs and banks in the latter waterway.

Beijing also held military drills on Monday around Taiwan, the self-ruled island it claims as part of its territory and has one day refused to use force to capture.

Perennial rivals in East Asia, China and Japan are major trading partners, but their relationship is complicated by Beijing’s growing regional importance, Tokyo’s alliance with the West and its imperial history.

Japan lodged a protest last month after China tested an intercontinental ballistic missile in the Pacific Ocean, and Beijing imposed a ban on Japanese seafood imports in retaliation for Tokyo’s decision to release treated water from the decommissioned Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea. Had given.