Japan has demanded that a Chinese survey vessel cease operations near the disputed Senkaku Islands, according to government officials. The Japanese Coast Guard reported the ship was conducting hydrographic surveys within Japan’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on Tuesday.
The uninhabited islets, known as Diaoyu in China, have been a persistent flashpoint between the two nations. Japan administers the territory but China claims historical rights to the area. Analysts note this marks the third such incident in 2024, reflecting Beijing’s growing maritime assertiveness.
‘We’ve lodged a formal protest through diplomatic channels,’ a Japanese Foreign Ministry official told reporters on condition of anonymity. ‘This violates international law and undermines regional stability.’
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded that the vessel was operating in ‘Chinese territorial waters’ and accused Japan of ‘illegally occupying’ the islands. The statement echoed China’s longstanding position on the dispute.
Security experts warn these encounters risk accidental escalation. ‘Both nations have increased coast guard patrols and military exercises near the islands,’ said Dr. Lee Chen, a maritime security analyst at the Asia-Pacific Research Institute. ‘One miscalculation could trigger a serious crisis.’
The incident occurs amid heightened U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan, with some analysts suggesting Beijing may be testing regional responses. Japan recently signed a new defense pact with the Philippines, another nation embroiled in South China Sea disputes with China.