Japan has lodged a protest with China after the Chinese Coast Guard prevented a Japanese Coast Guard vessel from conducting operations within Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
The Japan Coast Guard revealed on Wednesday that a Japanese Coast Guard survey vessel was conducting baseline seabed surveys related to the continental shelf around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, about 290 kilometers northwest of Okinawa’s main island, within the exclusive economic zone. A Chinese Coast Guard vessel, via radio, demanded that the Japanese Coast Guard survey vessel “cease investigation and leave immediately.” They repeatedly called for a halt to the related survey activity.
The Japanese Coast Guard survey vessel responded, stating it was “carrying out lawful survey activities under international law,” and continued its investigation.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Japanese Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said: “Japan has protested to China through diplomatic channels, stating that China’s demand to stop is unacceptable.”
The Japanese government pointed out that last month, several Chinese Coast Guard vessels regularly sailed in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone south of Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture, and began escorting Chinese survey and official vessels, exercising jurisdiction. Japan has repeatedly lodged protests through diplomatic channels.