Japan protests against Chinese warship in disputed waters

Tokyo, June 9: Japan on Thursday protested after a Chinese frigate entered the waters near a disputed island chain in the East Chi Sea. A Japanese vy destroyer detected the Chinese ship as it entered the contiguous zone — an area stretching 24 utical miles out from the edge of territorial waters — around Senkaku, also known as Diaoyu, islands, Defence Ministry spokesman Yoshitomo Morii told CNN. This was the first time a Chinese frigate entered the contiguous zone, he said.

“We’re deeply concerned that Chinese val ships entered the waters contiguous to our Senkaku islands for the first time,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said. “We, in coordition with the US and the intertiol community, strongly demand Chi not repeat such behaviour that unilaterally heighten tensions.”

According to Japanese officials, Foreign Minister Vice Minister Akitaka Saeki summoned Chi’s ambassador, Chen Yonghua, to lodge a protest “with serious concern”. Morii said the Chinese ship left the area after repeated calls for it to do so by the Japanese vessel. (IANS)