By Yasin Gungor
ISTANBUL (AA) - China’s Coast Guard (CCG), expelled a Japanese fishing vessel on Thursday, claiming it had entered Chinese territorial waters near the Diaoyu Dao, known as Senkaku Islands in Japan, according to media reports.
Liu Dejun, a spokesman for CCG, said the Japanese boat "unlawfully" entered the waters, prompting Chinese authorities to issue warnings and drive it out, reported state-run Xinhua News Agency.
"Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory," Liu was quoted as saying, adding that China remains committed to "regular law enforcement activities" in the area to "safeguard" its territorial sovereignty.
- China 'violated international law'
Japan strongly rejected China’s claims and actions. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tokyo had lodged a diplomatic protest, asserting the area is Japan’s territory under international law.
"The Senkaku Islands are undoubtedly Japan's inherent territory," Hayashi stressed, calling the Chinese action a violation of international law and "unacceptable."
The uninhabited islands have long been a source of tension between the two nations. Similar incidents have occurred frequently, with the latest reported Chinese vessel entering the disputed waters on Nov. 8.