Three Chinese Ships Briefly Intrude Japan’s Waters Near Disputed Islands

Three Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered the Japanese waters near disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Three Chinese Coast Guard vessels intruded Japanese territorial waters around the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, leaving the waters hours later, Japan's news agency Kyodo reported Sunday, citing country’s Coast Guard.

The incident was the 22nd case of Chinese vessels entering the disputed area this year.

Earlier this week, two Chinese ships entered the Japanese waters near the islands, but were asked to leave.

Japan has been bolstering its armed forces and naval defenses in particular amid China's increased activity in the region over the past few years.

The Senkaku islands, known as the Diaoyu islands in China, are the subject to long-standing regional territorial disputes between China, Japan and Taiwan. The islands are part of Japan's Okinawa Prefecture.

Last year, Japan and China agreed to reduce tensions over the disputed islands, giving way to possible resolution of the standoff.