Chinese and Japanese coast guard vessels faced off near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Monday, The South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday.
The Senkaku Islands, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China, are uninhabited and controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan. The islands are a long-standing point of friction between Beijing and Tokyo, and confrontations in the area are common.
According to the Japanese Coast Guard, its patrol boats repeatedly urged three Chinese vessels to leave the area on Monday. The Chinese side said that three Japanese ships and several patrol ships entered the territorial waters of the islands “illegally.”
“We urge Japan to immediately stop all illegal activities in the waters and ensure that similar incidents do not happen again,” said Chinese Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu.
According to the Post, a similar incident took place about three weeks ago. During that encounter, Japan’s Coast Guard said it maneuvered to prevent Chinese vessels from approaching Japanese fishing boats.
The US has for years pledged to defend the Senkakus, saying the mutual defense portion of the US-Japan Security Treaty applies to the islands, meaning the dispute in the East China Sea is a potential flashpoint for a war between the US and China. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the pledge on October 4 when his Japanese counterpart was visiting Washington.
“Now we face major shared challenges, including [China’s] coercive behavior and North Korea’s dangerous provocations, and Russia’s reckless war of choice against Ukraine, but America’s Article 5 treaty commitment to the defense of Japan remains ironclad and it covers all territories under Japan’s administration, including the Senkaku Islands,” Austin said.
“The US has for years pledged to “defend the Senkakus . . .”
They’re outlined on the map, but you still might not find them immediately. The Senkakus are tiny, uninhabited and unimportant other than as an excuse to hassle with China.
See my reply to Carlton above. My sentiments exactly. Manufacturing conflict is easier than I thought.
I despise this government and the atrocities which, with nauseating regularity, it foists on the rest of humanity.
These islands are much, much closer to China than Japan.
Are you looking at a map? You’re not authorized to do your own research! Facts are deceiving and that’s why you’re not allowed to reach such conclusions on your own. …What’s that? The islands are also “uninhabited?” …None of your business. …Yes! If we want war over uninhabited islands it’s none of your business. (Sarcasm)
Careful, Carlton my friend. China is very interested in some terrain features which are much closer to Philippines than to China, as one example.
Hence the reason the Imperial Japan is needed. They would be far better deterrent than U.S.
They have proven their ability and will to intervene in places that are none of our business. May a nonexistant God help us in our troubled times?
The Bolivarian Revolution lines up against Israel. Russia, the most powerful military in the world defeating US/NATO quicker than the Taliban did. China moves into play more seriously. Dollar in deep doo doo.
It looks like from my distant vantage point the perhaps the first sparks for a general war are being lighted. I hope I’m wrong but I doubt it.
The ultimate bs double standard: Guantanamo Bay!
Austin says U.S. committed to defending empty terrain features halfway around the world claimed by Japan and Philippines, and also claimed by China, which is why his office is called the Defense Department.
China, Japan, Taiwan dispute these uninhabited islands.
i wonder which of these 3 have been involved in the despicable whaling industry, and if maybe that might have something to do with it.
google = Whaling is illegal in most countries, however Iceland, Norway, and Japan still actively engage in whaling . Over a thousand whales are killed each year for their meat and body parts to be sold for commercial gain.
whales, for god’s sake. killing a whale is like killing an elephant. or even cows and pigs for that matter. how dare you.
Philippines is backing off US participation, but Japan is a US- occupied country who is also bigly anti-China.
Nov 3, 2023 – TheManillaTimes
‘No need for PH allies to join resupply trips’