TOKYO: Japan lodged a protest after a Chinese coast guard helicopter violated its airspace and four Chinese vessels entered its territorial waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands on Saturday.
The islands — called Diaoyu by Beijing — are claimed by both countries but administered by Tokyo.
Japan’s vice foreign minister lodged a “strong protest” with China’s ambassador, urging Beijing to prevent further incursions.
Japan’s defence ministry said the helicopter remained in its airspace for about 15 minutes, prompting fighter jets to scramble.
It was the first confirmed airspace violation by a Chinese government helicopter in the area, according to NHK.
China’s coast guard, meanwhile, claimed it deployed a helicopter to “expel” a Japanese civilian aircraft from the same zone, saying it had entered at 11.19am and left five minutes later. Japanese officials disputed the claim, suggesting China was responding to a civilian plane flying near—but not inside—the zone.
The latest standoff underscores the growing tension in the East China Sea, where patrol ships from both nations have had repeated close encounters.
Rising regional friction has pushed Tokyo to deepen security ties with the Philippines and the United States. – AFP
