Chinese Patrol Ships Mark Longest Intrusion
The Japan Coast Guard reports that two Chinese patrol ships have been in Japan's territorial waters for two days. This is the longest intrusion into the waters in eight years.
Officials say the two vessels entered the waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday and tried to approach a Japanese fishing boat.
They say the ships were still in the waters as of 9 a.m. Tuesday in an area about 7 kilometers south-southeast to 14 kilometers south-southwest of Taisho Island.
The latest intrusion is the longest since Japan's government purchased some of the Senkaku Islands from a private Japanese owner in 2012.
The Coast Guard has sent patrol boats to the area and is continuing to warn the Chinese ships to immediately leave Japan's waters.
Japan controls the Senkaku Islands. China and Taiwan claim them. The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.
