China’s Coast Guard Conducts Patrols Near Disputed Islands in East China Sea

Two ships of China’s Coast Guard conducted patrols in the territorial waters of the disputed Diaoyu Islands, according to the Chinese State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

BEIJING (Sputnik) — Two ships of China’s Coast Guard on Sunday conducted patrols near the disputed Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands in the East China Sea, controlled by Tokyo and claimed by Beijing, the Chinese State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said.

According to the SOA, the coast guard ships under the numbers 33115 and 2166 conducted patrols in the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands. Other details have not been disclosed.

On Saturday, Japan summoned Chinese diplomats to protest against some 230 Chinese ships approaching the disputed islands in the East China Sea.

The incident occurred just a day after Japan accused eight Chinese ships (both fishing and Coast Guard vessels) of briefly entering the territorial waters of Japan.

Japan has repeatedly accused the Chinese Navy of invading the Japanese territorial waters, in particular sailing in the contiguous zone near the disputed Senkaku Islands. In 2014, Japan and China agreed to reduce tensions over the disputed territory.