01/07/2013, 00.00
JAPAN - CHINA
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Senkaku / Diaoyu: Chinese vessels spotted off the disputed islands

Four Beijing ships entered the territorial waters surrounding the atolls in the East China Sea. Over the weekend an attempt to gain “entry” to airspace. Japanese aircraft on alert, ready to respond. It is the 21st violation since Tokyo nationalized the islands in September.

Tokyo (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Four ships flying the Chinese flag entered the territorial waters surrounding a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea at the center of a dispute with Japan. According to reports from the Japanese coast guard, the "invasion" took place today, and involves four patrol vessels, spotted within 12 nautical miles from the Senkaku / Diaoyu just before noon local time.

This is the first time since December 31 - and the 21st since Tokyo nationalized the islands in September - that a Beijing vessel has penetrated into the waters of the archipelago, located in the East China Sea and of great economic and commercial at a strategic level. On 5 January China's airforce tried to approach the area, without violating the airspace as was the case in December, the Japanese air force is on alert, ready to respond to air violation.

Tension has risen since 13 December last, when Tokyo scrambled jets after a Chinese aircraft entered the Senkaku / Diaoyu airspace for the first time since 1958. For several months, Tokyo and Beijing have been at a standoff over the sovereignty of this group of islands in the East China Sea, sending ships, coastguards, fishing boats and now planes. Asian policy experts argue that Beijing "will not compromise" and intends to "keep up pressure."

From now on the new leadership in Tokyo led by Conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made it clear that it is necessary "to stop the challenge" from China, while attempting to construct "good relations in the national interest of both countries." However, the dispute around the islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, threatens to further damage already strained relations. By contrast, the Chinese leaders - led by Xi Jinping - do not seem to want to close the territorial disputes in a peaceful manner, involving various strategic areas of Asia and the Pacific. Beijing's latest weapon of choice to undermine the legislation underpinning the international territorial waters is science. An 11-page report presented to the UN asserts that "the appearance and geological features of the islands show that they are part of China's mainland territory."

 

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