China says it drove away Japanese fishing boat from waters near disputed Diaoyu Islands

Vessel ‘illegally entered’ the country’s territorial waters and was warned to leave, according to Chinese coastguard

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The Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea – known as the Senkakus in Japan – have long been a flashpoint in relations. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 3:40pm, 17 Oct 2024Updated: 5:55pm, 17 Oct 2024

China’s coastguard says it warned a Japanese fishing boat to leave its territorial waters near the disputed Diaoyu Islands, the latest confrontation in the area.

The tiny, uninhabited islands in the East China Sea are claimed by both China and Japan, where they are known as the Senkakus.

On Thursday, Chinese coastguard spokesman Liu Dejun said the Japanese vessel had “illegally entered” China’s territorial waters around the islands on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The coastguard has been patrolling around the islands on a monthly basis. Photo: China Coast Guard

Liu identified the vessel as the “Tsurumaru” – a Japanese fishing boat also seen sailing in the area in June, July and August, according to earlier Chinese coastguard statements.

“Necessary control measures were implemented in accordance with the law, and warnings were issued to drive away the Japanese vessel,” Liu said.

He called on Japan to stop “illegal activities” in the waters, and said “Diaoyu and its affiliated islands have always been China’s territory”.

The coastguard vowed to continue patrols around the islands to defend China’s sovereignty, security and maritime rights. The Chinese coastguard has been patrolling around the Diaoyu Islands on a monthly basis, with the most recent on Sunday.

Japan’s coastguard meanwhile reported on Thursday that its patrol ships were monitoring four Chinese coastguard vessels near the islands. It confirmed that a Japanese fishing boat was operating around 10km (6.2 miles) west of the largest land mass as of Wednesday.