China Sends Ships to Senkaku Islands After Japan Names Country Top Security Threat
A fleet of four Chinese coast guard vessels sailed into territorial waters off the disputed Senkaku Islands on Wednesday, after Japan's Defense Ministry highlighted China as the country's most pressing national security threat in an annual white paper 24 hours earlier.
A spokesperson for the Japanese Embassy called recent Chinese actions in the East China Sea "extremely regrettable," adding that Tokyo intended to continue responding firmly but calmly.
The China Coast Guard (CCG) ships intruded into the territorial sea around the Japan-controlled island chain "one after another" at around 10:20 a.m. local time, according to a report by broadcaster NHK, citing the Japanese coast guard's 11th regional headquarters in Naha, Okinawa.
Two of the Chinese government vessels entered the waters by Taisho Island, and the remaining two by Minamikojima Island. One of the ships appeared to be equipped with an "autocannon," the Japan Coast Guard said, noting that all four vessels left around noon.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-sends-ships-to-senkaku-islands-after-japan-names-country-top-security-threat/ar-AAM8Ouo