China’s Coast Guard vessel entered the territorial waters of the Senkaku (Chinese name: Diaoyu) Islands, an area subject to territorial disputes between China and Japan, for the longest time in history until the 2nd, Japan claims. The navigation of the Chinese ship drew attention as it was made during the visit of Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to China.
According to the Mainichi Shimbun on the 3rd, Japan’s 11th District Maritime Security Headquarters announced that as of 7:45 p.m. The newspaper pointed out that this is the largest ever since Japan’s nationalization of Senkaku.
According to the Maritime Security Headquarters, from 11:40 a.m. on March 30, four ships of the China Coast Guard entered one after another. One of the four ships went out to the contiguous waters outside the territorial sea on the 1st. The remaining three boats continued their navigation following the movements of the two Japanese fishing boats.
Japan Coast Guard patrol boats were warned to leave territorial waters. It was not until 7:45 p.m. on the 3rd that it went out to the contiguous waters outside the territorial sea.
According to a press release about Foreign Minister Hayashi’s visit to China announced on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, he had a meeting with State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang for about 3 hours from 9:30 a.m. Korean time on the 2nd, and then had a working lunch for 45 minutes. had
Foreign Minister Hayashi met with Chinese Premier Li Chang for about 40 minutes from 3:00 pm, and Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, from 4:30 pm. He had a 30-minute meeting with Wang and a 70-minute dinner. At 6:10 p.m., Foreign Minister Hayashi’s schedule was completed.
Therefore, the China Coast Guard vessel’s voyage near Senkaku this time was made during Foreign Minister Hayashi’s visit to China.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appeared before the House of Councilors (Senate) Settlement Committee on the 3rd and said, “The navigation of Chinese ships near Senkaku is a violation of international law. I am truly sorry and cannot accept it.”
He said, “We made a stern protest through diplomatic channels and strongly demanded that they be promptly removed from the territorial waters.” “With a sense of tension, we will do everything possible to guard and monitor the Senkaku Islands. We will respond calmly and resolutely to the Chinese side.”
Foreign Minister Hayashi visited China on the 1st and 2nd and met with Minister Chin, Yuan Wang, and Prime Minister Lee for talks. However, the two sides only presented each other’s arguments, and pending issues such as Senkaku ran parallel.
Foreign Minister Hayashi failed to achieve much success in the issue of arresting Japanese nationals by the Chinese authorities, which had been the focus of attention. Minister Chin only gave an answer to Foreign Minister Hayashi, who demanded the early release of the Japanese, that he would deal with it in accordance with the law.
On September 11, 2012, the Japanese government purchased and nationalized three privately owned islands in the Senkaku Islands: Uotsurishima, Kitakojima, and Minamikojima. Japan is under effective control. It is an area of territorial dispute between China and Japan.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.