Japan said on Tuesday it had lodged a diplomatic protest with China after Chinese naval vessels conducted live-fire drills in waters Tokyo considers part of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
The drills, which also involved a Russian warship, took place about 180 kilometres southwest of Okinotori early on Sunday, according to Japan's military.
Tokyo said the exercise posed a potential risk to nearby shipping and protested through diplomatic channels.
"The Japanese government lodged a protest with China through diplomatic channels, on the grounds that such activities could pose a danger to the navigation of nearby vessels," Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters.
Japan's military said it was the first time it had publicly disclosed Chinese live-fire drills inside its claimed EEZ, while noting the activity did not violate international law.
China argues that Okinotori is a rock rather than an island and therefore does not generate an exclusive economic zone under international law. Beijing has yet to comment on the incident.
Japanese forces said they tracked four vessels approaching the area, including two Chinese guided-missile destroyers, a replenishment ship and a Russian frigate. One of the Chinese destroyers later carried out the live-fire exercise after issuing a radio warning to nearby vessels.
The incident comes amid worsening ties between Tokyo and Beijing over Taiwan and maritime security.
China and Russia have also stepped up joint naval and air operations around Japan in recent months, prompting Tokyo to strengthen surveillance and reinforce its south-western island defences.
U.S. forces struck two Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island on Sunday, with Tehran responding by launching ballistic missiles at two U.S. bases...
Eurasian leaders have gathered in Bishkek for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit focused on security, economic ties and regional...
Russia views NATO’s growing military activity in the Arctic as a direct threat to its national security, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said....
Iran has reached an understanding with Oman on transit arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz, but the waterway will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils its commitments, a senior Iranian diplomat said on Saturday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused U.S. government and Israel-aligned actors of manipulating energy markets to promote the war with Iran.
Russian strikes on the Kyiv region overnight killed 37 people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. Zelenskyy added that the Ukrainian capital was under "virtually nonstop attack" from drones.
Eurasian leaders have gathered in Bishkek for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit focused on security, economic ties and regional co-operation, as the bloc marks its 25th anniversary. China's Xi Jinping also hailed the “unprecedented” development in China-Kyrgyzstan relations.
At least 37 people were killed after a Russian drone strike hit an ammunition depot in the Kyiv region, triggering powerful secondary explosions President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, vowing to punish suspected negligence in the second such incident in two months.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the actions of Israeli settlers in the West Bank village of Qusra, saying security operations should be handled only by state institutions, including the army and police.
Rescue teams in Nepal, supported by Chinese and Indian experts, worked through the night to reach hundreds of people believed to be trapped inside blocked hydropower project tunnels following last week’s catastrophic Himalayan flood.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 31st of August, covering the latest developments.
Around 20 people are reported missing after flooding struck parts of Grand Canyon National Park in the U.S. state of Arizona, prompting evacuations of people to safety and a large-scale response from park authorities.
Russia views NATO’s growing military activity in the Arctic as a direct threat to its national security, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment