China Justifies Activities Off Senkaku Islands
China's Defense Ministry has justified the country's activities off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea as legitimate. Japan's defense minister has responded that the activities violate international law.
Japan controls the islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains that the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory.
The Chinese Defense Ministry posted its views on Monday on its website. It said the islands are China's inherent territory, and law enforcement activities by Chinese public service vessels within the country's territorial waters are "legitimate and undisputed, and will continue to be carried out normally."
Japan's Defense Minister Kishi Nobuo told reporters on Tuesday that the Senkaku Islands are an inherent part of Japanese territory, in terms of history and international law. He said the islands are also under Japan's control.
Kishi said Chinese coast guard activities that are based on China's unilateral claims violate international law and are unacceptable. He said his ministry will cooperate with other government bodies to gather information and do its utmost for patrols and surveillance.
Chinese coast guard ships have been frequently spotted in and out of the islands' territorial waters. The Japanese government has recently said that the Japan Coast Guard could legally use weapons against a forceful landing attempt if necessary, under the pretext of responding to a serious and heinous crime.
At a regular news conference on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged Japan to "stop dangerous words and actions that may complicate the situation" on the islands.
Concerns have been rising in Japan since a new Chinese law took effect last month. The legislation allows China's coast guard to use weapons in waters it considers to be under its jurisdiction.