China’s Ships Near Islands Before Japan Purchase Anniversary
This article is for subscribers only.
Eight Chinese ships entered Japan-controlled waters near an island chain claimed by both nations, a day before the first anniversary of Japan’s purchase of the territory that sparked protests across China.
The Chinese Coast Guard vessels left the area yesterday after spending several hours in what Japan sees as its territorial waters, the Japanese Coast Guard said in e-mailed statements. The move prompted Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki to summon China’s ambassador, Cheng Yonghua, to lodge a diplomatic protest, the Foreign Ministry said on its website.