China and Japan clash over disputed East China Sea islands

China and Japan clash over disputed East China Sea islands

China and Japan's coast guards issued conflicting accounts Tuesday of a confrontation near the contested Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, escalating tensions amid a broader diplomatic rift between the two nations.

China's Coast Guard (CCG) accused a Japanese fishing vessel of illegally entering waters around the Diaoyu Islands-known in Japan as the Senkaku Islands-which Beijing claims as its territory despite Tokyo's administration. According to CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun, Chinese vessels approached and warned the Japanese boat, taking "necessary law enforcement measures" and demanding Japan cease "infringement and provocation" in the area.

Japan's Coast Guard (JCG), however, reported intercepting and expelling two Chinese Coast Guard ships that had approached the fishing vessel in Japanese-administered waters. The JCG stated its patrol ensured the fishing boat's safety until the Chinese vessels departed hours later.

Diplomatic tensions flare over Taiwan remarks

The incident follows a sharp deterioration in Sino-Japanese relations after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested last month that Tokyo could intervene militarily if China attacked Taiwan. Beijing views the self-governed island as part of its territory and has not ruled out force to achieve "reunification."

Taiwan lies roughly 160 km southwest of the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, a strategically sensitive area that has seen repeated incursions by Chinese vessels. Last year, Chinese government ships spent a record number of days in the disputed waters-the third consecutive annual high-raising concerns over Beijing's testing of Japan's defensive posture.

Decades-long dispute over uninhabited islands

The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, uninhabited but resource-rich, have been a flashpoint for over a decade. While China and Japan agreed in principle in 2008 to jointly develop East China Sea resources, tensions have since escalated, with Beijing increasing patrols and asserting territorial claims.

Prior to Tuesday's incident, the CCG last entered the waters on November 16, describing its operations as "lawful patrols to uphold rights and interests." Japan has repeatedly condemned such incursions, framing them as violations of its sovereignty.

Broader impact on bilateral relations

The standoff reflects a widening rift between the two nations, with hostile rhetoric and diplomatic spats now affecting citizens' daily lives. Analysts warn that continued provocations risk further destabilizing regional security, particularly as China ramps up military activity near Taiwan and Japan strengthens its defense alliances.

"Supplies have stabilized, but conservation remains essential."

Catalan Water Agency