Japan Protests China's Gas Development in East China Sea

Tokyo, Dec. 3 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government said Monday it has protested China's apparent test drilling for resources development around the intermediate line between the two countries in the East China Sea. It is extremely regrettable that China continues work for unilateral resources development there, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference. The protest was made through diplomatic channels, he said. Japan and China agreed on joint gas field development around the intermediate line in 2008. But follow-up talks stalled and China unilaterally continues gas field development. "We'll strongly urge China to resume the talks at an early date to put the agreement in place," Suga said. END