Govt. Protests Longest Intrusion In Japan's Waters
The Japanese government has lodged a protest over two Chinese patrol ships that navigated in Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands for more than two days. It's the longest intrusion into the waters in eight years.
Coast guard officials say the Chinese vessels entered the waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Sunday morning. They left the waters on Tuesday evening, more than 57 hours later.
It was the longest intrusion since Japan's government purchased some of the Senkaku Islands from a private Japanese owner in 2012.
Japan controls the islands. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. China and Taiwan claim them.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that the islands are part of China's territory. He added Japan should respect China's right to patrol the area.
An expert on international maritime law says Beijing appears to be challenging Japan's position that there is no issue of sovereignty over the islands.
Associate Professor at Yokohama City University, Seta Makoto, said, "One of China's ultimate goals and purposes is to make the Japanese government acknowledge that there is an international issue over the islands."
The expert says Japan's coast guard should continue to react in a calm manner.
Seta said, "It is very important that the coast guard continues to properly respond to make the vessels abide by Japanese laws and maintain order. That will send a message that this is not an international armed conflict."
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Kato Katsunobu said that Japan has repeatedly lodged protests with Beijing.
He said, "We will continue to do our utmost to safeguard our country's territory, waters and airspace. Relevant ministries and agencies will work together to gather information and patrol the area around the Senkaku Islands. We will continue to respond calmly and resolutely to the Chinese side."
