Tokyo: Japan’s Defense Ministry reported that a Chinese Navy Shupang class survey ship sailed through Japan’s territorial waters near Yakushima Island.
Japanese ministry and Self-Defense Forces confirmed that a Chinese Navy Shupand class survey ship sailed through Japan’s territorial waters near Yakushima Island.
While reacting immediately on this matter, China has denied Japan’s claim. The Chinese newspaper Global Times quoted an expert as saying that the waterway comes under the international navigation route.
The Chinese newspaper quoted Lian Degui, director of the Department of Japanese Studies at Shanghai International Studies University as saying, ‘We can see both the Japanese government and media have deliberately not mentioned the fact that the Chinese vessel complied with the passage required by international law’.
The Defense Ministry said, ‘On December 19, it was confirmed that a Chinese Navy Shupang-class survey ship sailed through Japan’s territorial waters near Yakushima Island.
They added ‘This is the 9th time, the first since November this year, that we announce the Chinese Naval vessel’s entry into Japan’s territorial waters.’
Japanese Ministry said, ‘These Chinese naval activities are of national security concern. Japan Ministry of Defense and Japan Self-Defense Forces resolutely protect the country’s territory, water boundary, and airspace.’
(With inputs from ANI)