Chinese, Japanese Coast Guard Vessels Face Off Near Disputed Islands as Tensions Deepen

Chinese and Japanese vessels confronted each other near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands on Tuesday, the latest flashpoint in a worsening feud between the two Asian powers.

China’s Coast Guard accused a Japanese fishing vessel of “illegally” entering the waters around the Diaoyu Islands, which Beijing claims as its territory despite Tokyo’s administration of the uninhabited chain. A spokesperson said Chinese ships approached the boat and took “necessary law enforcement measures,” urging Japan to halt what it called “acts of infringement and provocation.”

Japan delivered a starkly different account, saying two Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered Japanese territorial waters in the early hours of Tuesday. The Japan Coast Guard said it issued warnings demanding the ships leave and escorted the Japanese fishing vessel until the Chinese vessels withdrew several hours later.

The encounter comes as relations between China and Japan rapidly deteriorate following comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last month suggesting Tokyo could take military action if China attacked Taiwan. Beijing condemned the remarks, insisting Taiwan is part of its territory and refusing to rule out the use of force for “reunification.”

Since then, both governments have traded increasingly hostile statements, and the diplomatic rift has begun affecting everyday life for citizens in both countries. Taiwan lies about 160km southwest of the disputed islands.

The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands have long been a focal point of tensions in the East China Sea. Although the two nations agreed in principle in 2008 to jointly explore resources in the area, China has significantly increased the number of its vessels operating near the islands over the past decade. Last year, Chinese government ships were recorded in the waters for a record number of days for the third year in a row.

Before Tuesday’s confrontation, Chinese vessels last entered the area on 16 November, describing their activity at the time as a “lawful patrol” to safeguard China’s rights and interests.