Japan has lodged a formal protest with China through its embassy in Tokyo. Over what they described as an unauthorised entry of a Chinese survey vessel into its territorial waters on Saturday, according to a statement from the Japanese foreign ministry.
The incident occurred near Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan, where the Chinese ship was detected at around 6 am local time.The vessel remained in the area for nearly two hours before leaving shortly around 8 am, monitored by a Japanese military vessel and aircraft, according to Japan’s defense ministry.
The incursion has heightened Japan’s concerns over China’s increasingly assertive actions in the region, particularly around its waters and airspace. Japanese defense officials have expressed growing unease, especially in light of the strengthening military ties between China and Russia, which have led to joint air force exercises near Japan’s borders.
This incident has added to Japan’s concerns about China’s growing assertiveness around its waters and airspace, especially as China’s military cooperation with Russia increases.
Earlier in the week, Japan also protested after a Chinese military aircraft briefly entered its southwestern airspace—the first such incident reported by the Japanese self-defense force.
Despite these tensions, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Tuesday that China had “no intention” of violating any nation’s airspace.
Nevertheless, the situation has strained the already delicate relationship between the two countries.
While security tensions have risen, the economic and cultural ties between Japan and China remain robust. Business relations between Japan and China remain strong, with ongoing exchanges between scholars and professionals, reflecting the complexity and depth of their relationship.
The incident occurred near Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan, where the Chinese ship was detected at around 6 am local time.The vessel remained in the area for nearly two hours before leaving shortly around 8 am, monitored by a Japanese military vessel and aircraft, according to Japan’s defense ministry.
The incursion has heightened Japan’s concerns over China’s increasingly assertive actions in the region, particularly around its waters and airspace. Japanese defense officials have expressed growing unease, especially in light of the strengthening military ties between China and Russia, which have led to joint air force exercises near Japan’s borders.
This incident has added to Japan’s concerns about China’s growing assertiveness around its waters and airspace, especially as China’s military cooperation with Russia increases.
Earlier in the week, Japan also protested after a Chinese military aircraft briefly entered its southwestern airspace—the first such incident reported by the Japanese self-defense force.
Despite these tensions, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Tuesday that China had “no intention” of violating any nation’s airspace.
Nevertheless, the situation has strained the already delicate relationship between the two countries.
While security tensions have risen, the economic and cultural ties between Japan and China remain robust. Business relations between Japan and China remain strong, with ongoing exchanges between scholars and professionals, reflecting the complexity and depth of their relationship.