Japan sets up special force to protect Senkaku

According to the Russian news agency Itar Tass on December 24, Japan said it will establish a special naval force to protect the disputed islands in the East China Sea that they call Senkaku, and China calls Diaoyu.

This force deals with Chinese patrol ships entering the waters around the island.



Chinese and Japanese ships in waters near disputed islands
- Photo: inquerer.net

Accordingly, the Japan Maritime Security Agency will increase patrol boats for the 11th Coast Guard Command headquartered in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, and establish a Senkaku unit to deal with Chinese ships in the archipelago. Tokyo explained this move as they are concerned that Beijing's sending of ships to disputed waters will continue.

Earlier, Japanese authorities announced plans to strengthen radar, positioning and aircraft detection systems to deal with recent Chinese aircraft entering the airspace of the disputed islands.

On December 23, China strongly criticized the US Congress for placing the Senkaku Islands within the framework of the US-Japan security treaty. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said Beijing expressed “deep concern” and “strong opposition” to the US Congress’ move.

On December 22, the US Congress passed the defense budget bill for fiscal year 2013. The bill includes a section mentioning the Senkaku Islands, stating that the US does not take sides in the sovereignty dispute over the islands, but accepts the fact that Japan is in control of the islands.

The bill also says that unilateral action by a third party cannot change the US perception of Japan's de facto control of the islands. Hua reiterated China's claim of sovereignty over the islands and said the US-Japan security treaty cannot harm the interests of third parties, including China. She also said that the US should not interfere in other countries' territorial disputes.

According to Tuoi Tre - DT