Chinese Coast Guard Ships Continue to Enter Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands

Japanese Foreign Minister said this was a regrettable action.

According to NHK, on ​​the morning of February 18, in the waters of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, three Chinese Coast Guard vessels continued to enter Japan's territorial waters. This information was confirmed by a patrol ship of the Japan Maritime Security Agency.

Chinese Coast Guard ship near Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands (Photo Reuters)

Three Chinese coast guard ships, numbered 46, 50 and 66, entered the waters of the islands that Japan calls Senkaku on the night of the 17th and conducted patrols in the area. However, this patrol was immediately warned by the Japan Maritime Security Agency.

This is not the first time that Chinese Coast Guard ships have entered these waters. Previously, on February 15, these three ships also entered Japanese waters. In just the first few months of this year, this is the seventh time that Chinese Coast Guard ships have entered waters near the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.

Earlier, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said at a daily press conference on Friday and also conveyed a message to the Chinese Embassy that “This is a very regrettable act. Japan cannot accept it.”

Observers warn that the tense diplomatic relationship between Japan and China could lead to a military clash with consequences that would affect the entire region.

However, analysts say that Japan should be more restrained and flexible with China to join the world in expecting Beijing's support for stricter sanctions against North Korea over its recent nuclear test./.

According to VOV - DT