Chinese vessels maintain unprecedented presence near Japan's controlled islands, Tokyo reports

China Coast Guard ships have been present in the waters near Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea for a new record of 158 days in a row. This surpasses the previous record set in 2021, as reported by Tokyo on Monday.

Analysts are concerned that the uninhabited islands, referred to as the Senkakus in Japan and the Diaoyus in China, could escalate tensions and potentially lead to conflict between the two neighboring Asian countries.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi stated at a briefing in Tokyo that the Japanese government is deeply concerned about the repeated incidents of ships entering the contiguous zone and trespassing in territorial waters.

Hayashi did not provide specific details on how frequently Chinese ships have been entering Japan's territorial waters. However, he mentioned that foreign ships are permitted to pass through these waters for innocent reasons.

Another 12 nautical miles beyond a country's territorial waters is the contiguous zone, which is the area that extends 12 nautical miles from the shore.

Foreign warships can enter the waters of the contiguous zone, so the Chinese Coast Guard has not violated any international agreements. However, the constant presence of Chinese vessels in that area is viewed as a provocation.

During a trilateral summit in Seoul on Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed Tokyo's "serious concerns" to Chinese Premier Li Gongmin. Hayashi mentioned that Japan will maintain vigilance and surveillance around the Senkaku Islands with a strong sense of urgency.

Competing claims

The uninhabited island chain has been a sore spot in Japan-China relations for years.

Claims to the rocky chain, located 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) southwest of Tokyo and about 205 miles (330 kilometers) from China's east coast, have been a long-standing issue dating back centuries. Both Japan and China view the territory as a national birthright, making it unlikely for either side to back down.

Tensions escalated in 2012 when Tokyo purchased some of the islands from a private Japanese owner. Beijing saw this move as a direct challenge to its sovereignty claims, further intensifying the dispute.

China has often sent its Coast Guard and other government vessels to the waters near the islands to assert its claims.

According to a document from the Chinese Foreign Ministry in 2022, China's patrols and law enforcement activities in the Diaoyu Dao waters are lawful actions to uphold its sovereignty and respond to provocations by Japan that infringe on China's sovereignty.

"No country or force should underestimate the Chinese government's determination to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement asserts.

According to experts, China is asserting its claim to the islands by maintaining a presence of government ships in the area, potentially setting up a legal argument for sovereignty.

In this photo provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, from left, Australian Navy ship HMAS Warramunga, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces ship JS Akebono and United States Navy ship USS Mobile (LCD-26) maneuver during the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity at the disputed South China Sea on Sunday, April 7, 2024. The United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines held their first joint naval exercises, including anti-submarine warfare training, in a show of force Sunday in the South China Sea where Beijing's aggressive actions to assert its territorial claims have caused alarm. (Armed Forces of the Philippines via AP)

A photo taken by the Armed Forces of the Philippines shows the Australian Navy ship HMAS Warramunga, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces ship JS Akebono, and United States Navy ship USS Mobile (LCD-26) participating in the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in the disputed South China Sea on Sunday, April 7, 2024. This joint naval exercise, which included anti-submarine warfare training, was a display of solidarity among the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines. The activity aimed to address concerns over Beijing's assertive actions in the region.

Armed Forces of the Philippines/Handout/AP

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China's concerns have brought a new sense of unity to the relationship between the US, Japan, and the Philippines. According to James Brown, an associate professor of political science at Temple University in Tokyo, for China to make an international legal claim to the islands over Japan, it just needs to have more of its ships present in the waters around the islands.

Hayashi, the Japanese government spokesperson, mentioned on Monday that Tokyo is responding to the Chinese presence around the islands by sending out its own vessels.

According to Hayashi, they are strengthening the security of territorial waters by deploying Coast Guard patrol vessels that are more advanced than those of the other party.

Any Japanese-Chinese incident in the Senkakus increases the chance of a larger conflict, according to analysts. This is because Japan has a mutual defense treaty with the United States.

Washington has repeatedly stated that it believes the Senkakus fall under the protection of the mutual defense agreement.

China is increasing its presence near the Senkakus, Taiwan, and features controlled by the Philippines in the South China Sea.

China recently conducted its biggest military drills of the year near Taiwan. This comes after President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing dislikes for supporting Taiwan's independence, took office.

A large screen in Beijing shows on May 23, 2024, news that China's military began a two-day drill around Taiwan. The exercises, involving China's army, navy, air and rocket forces, followed the May 20 inauguration of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te.

On May 23, 2024, a big screen in Beijing displayed news about China's military starting a two-day drill near Taiwan. The drill included China's army, navy, air, and rocket forces. This came after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's inauguration on May 20.

Image Source: Kyodo News/Getty Images

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China says military drills encircling Taiwan designed to test its ability to ‘seize power’

China's ruling Communist Party claims that Taiwan is a part of its territory, even though it has never governed the island. The party has made a commitment to reclaim Taiwan, even if it means using force.

In the South China Sea, the China Coast Guard has been targeting Philippine ships attempting to deliver supplies to a group of Philippine marines stationed on Second Thomas Shoal. They have used water cannons, causing harm to Filipino sailors and causing damage to their ships.

Leaders and military officials are getting ready to meet in Singapore for the Shangri-La Dialogue, which is the top defense summit in Asia. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to deliver the keynote speech on Friday evening. The focus is likely to be on the recent clashes between China and the Philippines around Second Thomas Shoal.

The US and Chinese defense chiefs are also expected to address the conference.

CNN’s Himari Semans contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The escalating tensions between China and Japan over the uninhabited Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands are a cause for serious concern. China's continuous presence of Coast Guard ships in the area is viewed as a provocation by Japan, highlighting the potential for conflict between the two nations. This situation is further complicated by Japan's mutual defense treaty with the United States, which could draw the US into any conflict.

The competing claims to the islands have been a longstanding issue, with both Japan and China viewing them as their own territory. However, China's increased presence in the waters around the islands could potentially set up a legal argument for sovereignty, making it even more difficult to resolve the dispute peacefully. It is essential that both sides engage in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and find a mutually acceptable solution that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both nations.