Tensions rise ahead of diplomatic summit as Chinese vessels breach Japanese territorial waters near Senkaku Islands
On Friday morning, two armed vessels from the China Coast Guard entered Japanese territorial waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands (known in China as Diaoyu), according to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG). The breach occurred near Minami-Kojima Island just hours before a scheduled trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea in Tokyo.
In brief
Two armed China Coast Guard vessels entered Japanese territorial waters near the Senkaku Islands, known in China as Diaoyu, just before 2:00 a.m. local time. The Japan Coast Guard reported that the violation occurred near Minami-Kojima island, called on the vessels to leave the area and began monitoring them. The incident came ahead of Saturday's meeting in Tokyo of foreign ministers Takeshi Iwaya, Wang Yi and Cho Tae-yul. A similar violation was recorded on 14 March.
Chinese ships spotted near Minami-Kojima Island
According to a statement from the 11th Regional Headquarters of the JCG, based in Naha, the Chinese ships crossed into Japanese waters shortly before 2:00 a.m. local time. The vessels were reportedly equipped with deck guns, highlighting escalating tensions in the region, as reported by a Japanese broadcaster.
The JCG immediately demanded that the vessels leave the area and has continued to monitor their movements. A similar incident occurred earlier on March 14.
Diplomacy versus show of force
The territorial incursion comes just one day before a key diplomatic meeting in Tokyo, where Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, China’s Wang Yi, and South Korea’s Cho Tae-yul are expected to discuss economic cooperation, people-to-people exchange, and regional and global issues.
The last such trilateral meeting took place in November 2023 in the South Korean city of Busan. This year’s talks are set against a backdrop of increasing maritime tensions in the East China Sea.
Longstanding dispute over Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands
The Senkaku Islands are a group of small, uninhabited islets in the East China Sea claimed by Japan, China, and Taiwan. Japan maintains administrative control over the islands and regards them as an inherent part of its territory. However, China frequently sends vessels into the surrounding waters, citing historical claims.
According to the JCG, Chinese vessels were present in the area on a record 353 days in 2024, with 39 confirmed incursions into Japanese territorial waters. Japan has consistently condemned these actions as violations of international law and a threat to regional stability.
Source: o2 / Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Daniel Nawrocki
Related articles
Safety and rescue Polish SAR’s new rescue vessel Mistral launched at Kewatec in Finland 
Safety and rescue Icelandic Coast Guard and police delegation visits Polish Border Guard’s Maritime Division 
Safety and rescue Polish Navy helicopter evacuates man from Baltic platform 100 km off Władysławowo 
Navy and defence SNMG2 joins Allied warships in PASSEX as Italy's Mare Aperto 2026 gets under way 
Safety and rescue From lightships to solar power: 160 years of the Grundkallen light station 
Education 254 people, manikins and life rafts: Maritime University of Szczecin joins national CPR record attempt
Comments (0)
The discussion is moderated by the editors: a comment appears after review. Your e-mail address is not published.
Nobody has commented on this article yet.