Chinese Ships Enter Japanese Waters near Senkakus

Naha, Okinawa Pref., Aug. 7 (Jiji Press)--Two Chinese coast guard ships entered Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture each on Sunday morning and afternoon, Japanese officials said. In addition, a record 13 Chinese government ships were spotted together inside the contiguous zone surrounding the Japanese waters around the islands, according to the Japan Coast Guard's 11th regional headquarters based in Naha, the capital of the southernmost prefecture. Japan protested Chinese maritime activities near the East China Sea islands, also claimed by Beijing, for the third straight day. On Friday, Chinese coast guard and fishing vessels intruded into the Japanese waters around the Senkaku Islands. This was followed by entry into the contiguous zone near the island chain by some 230 Chinese fishing boats and seven coast guard vessels on Saturday. Both incidents drew protests from Japan. Following the intrusion on Sunday morning, Vice Foreign Minister Shinsuke Sugiyama protested to Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua over the phone. The afternoon intrusion happened despite the protest. Making a second protest to Cheng, Sugiyama said: "Despite repeated strong protests, China is taking unilateral action that further heightens tensions. This is totally unacceptable." He demanded that China withdraw all ships from waters near the islands. The regional headquarters said the ships that entered Japanese waters Sunday were among the seven Chinese coast guard ships that stayed in the contiguous zone near the Senkaku Islands from Saturday. The two ships that intruded into the Japanese waters Sunday morning left the area. But one of them returned in the afternoon, accompanied by another Chinese ship. Furthermore, an additional six Chinese government ships entered the contiguous zone, raising the total number of Chinese government ships inside the waters to 13. The previous record high was 12 marked in September 2012. China insists that the islands are part of the country's territory. END