Japan. A Chinese warship chased a Russian frigate near the Senkaku Islands. Tokyo: An attempt to prove Beijing’s control of the islands

The Chinese frigate swam in the so-called area adjacent to the uninhabited islands over which Beijing claims rights. This happened from 7.44am for about six minutes. The Japanese Defense Ministry said it was chasing a Russian warship that entered Japanese territorial waters.

A ministry official said the Russian ship was in Japanese waters from 5-7 to 8.16 and may have done so to avoid a typhoon. He added that by creating an appearance he would patrol his territory China They may have tried to establish their territorial claim to the Senkaku Islands. This movement “unilaterally increases tension” and creates a “seriously worrying situation”.

After the incident, which occurred in the wake of China’s increasing naval assertiveness and the consolidation of Sino-Russian military ties, Tokyo lodged a protest in Beijing. Japan “It will respond ‘firmly but calmly’ to similar moves,” the protest note wrote.

For the first time since June 2016, the entry of Chinese and Russian warships into the contiguous zone was observed around the same time. Japan did not protest RussiaGiven that the state does not have any claims to the Senkaku, as well as the fact that the Russian frigate entered the hinterland to avoid a hurricane. Japan’s Kyodo News Agency, quoting a foreign ministry source, said Tokyo also called on Moscow through diplomatic channels to “respond appropriately” while expressing “strong interest” in Russia’s recent moves around the Senkaku.

The Senkaku Islands belong to Japan, but China claims its rights. Chinese ships repeatedly entered Japanese waters around the islands. Japan has repeatedly made official protests against this behavior.