Japan calls in Chinese envoy after ship enters disputed waters
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This handout picture taken and released by Japan's Coast Guard on December 22, 2015, shows a Chinese Coast Guard ship near disputed islets in the East China Sea. (Photo by AFP)
Japan has summoned China's ambassador to protest an alleged violation of what Tokyo regards as its territorial waters after a Chinese navy ship sailed close to disputed islands in East China Sea for the first time.
According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the Chinese naval vessel entered waters surrounding Senkaku around 00:50 am (1550 GMT) on Wednesday.
According to Press TV, the ministry said Japan's Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki summoned the Chinese ambassador in Tokyo, Cheng Yonghua, to “express grave concerns” and urge the Chinese ship to immediately leave the area.
The Japanese Defense Ministry said later that the Chinese frigate had left the waters and sailed to the north.
A Japanese Defense Ministry official also said that three Russian military vessels had been seen in the waters around the disputed islands at around the same time.
The official said an investigation was underway to see whether the Chinese and Russian moves were in anyway related.
“The fact that (China) sent a naval ship to the contiguous waters of our Senkaku Islands for the first time is an act that unilaterally increases tension and our nation is gravely concerned,” Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Thursday.
The uninhabited East China Sea islands lie about 220 km (135 miles) west of Taiwan and are controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing which calls them Diaoyu.
ME
