China Maritime Incursions Near Japan-Held Islands Hit Record
- Patrols of East China Sea on track for 80% increase in 2019
- Dispute simmers despite outward signs of improving ties
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The number of Chinese maritime incursions near Japanese-held islands in the East China Sea soared to a record this year, illustrating simmering tensions between Asia’s two biggest economies.
Chinese government ships, including coast guard vessels, have entered what Japan considers its exclusive waters more than 1,000 times this year, according to data from the Japan Coast Guard. That’s on track for an 80% increase over last year, and far more than any year since 2012, when China began making regular incursions around the islands.