Japan orders Chinese ships not to approach disputed islands

Japanese officials ordered three Chinese coast guard vessels to leave what Japan considers its territorial waters near a group of disputed islets in the East China Sea, a local media reported on Wednesday.

The local media said that the three ships left the area around noon (0300 GMT) after sailing around the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands for about two hours.

The uninhabited islets are also claimed by China and Taiwan, where they are called Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively.

The Japanese government bought three of the islets from a private owner in September 2011, leading to anti-Japan protests across China and a boycott of Japanese products.

Wednesday’s incident came just a week after the Education Ministry in Tokyo released its new teaching guidelines for high school students, which underline the Senkakus are “inherent” parts of Japan’s territory.

In January, China’s submarine and navy warship were also spotted near the islets, which prompted Tokyo to lodge a protest with Beijing.

(dpa/NAN)

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

DOWNLOAD THE PREMIUM TIMES MOBILE APP

Now available on

TEXT AD: To place a text-based advert here. Call Willie - +2347088095401

All rights reserved. This material and any other material on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from PREMIUM TIMES.