Chinese Coast Guard ships accused of violating Japanese territorial waters

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Two Chinese Coast Guard ships violated Japanese territorial waters late Saturday near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, according to officials.

Chinese ships, which were in the Uotsuri and Minami-koji islands for 31 hours, left after warnings from the Japanese Coast Guard, said the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture.

Japanese public broadcaster, NHK, said the incident marked the eighth time this year that Chinese elements around the Senkakus have violated Japanese territorial waters.

The Senkaku Islands, also known as Diaoyu in China, are situated in the East China Sea between the eastern coast of China and the southwestern coast of Japan.

The group of five islands and three rocks, under Japanese ownership but claimed by China and devoid of inhabitants, has been causing sovereignty disputes for a considerable period.