Tokyo protests Chinese navy ship entering 'Japanese waters'

ISTANBUL

A Chinese navy survey ship on Thursday entered Japan's "territorial waters" near islands in Kagoshima, according to the Japanese Defense Ministry.

Since February this year, it is the 11th time that a Chinese navy vessel has entered Japan’s territorial waters, the ministry tweeted.

Japan has "expressed its strong concern and lodged a diplomatic protest with China regarding the recent incursion," it added.

“These Chinese naval activities are of national security concern. The Self-Defense Forces resolutely protect Japan’s territory, territorial waters, and airspace,” the ministry also said.

In recent years, Chinese vessels have frequently entered Japan's territorial waters or passed through nearby regions, particularly in the vicinity of the Senkaku Islands located in the East China Sea.

Meanwhile, two China Coast Guard vessels were spotted in the territorial waters near the islets, according to the Japanese Coast Guard.

The uninhabited islets, controlled by Japan, and claimed by China as Diaoyu Islands, continue to cause tension between the two countries.