Chinese Coast Guard Vessels Enter Diaoyu Islands Waters, Chasing Japanese Fishing Boat

Chinese Coast Guard vessels entered the disputed waters of the Diaoyu Islands today to chase away a Japanese fishing boat. Japan's 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters reported that two Chinese coast guard vessels were promoting China's claims in the area and attempting to approach the Japanese fishing boat. The China Coast Guard issued a press release in both Chinese and English in the evening, with spokesperson Jiang Lue claiming that on May 26, the Japanese fishing boat 'Shishi' had 'illegally entered China's territorial waters of Diaoyu Island,' and that Chinese coast guard vessels had taken necessary control measures and warned it to leave. Jiang also claimed that the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands are 'inherent Chinese territory' and urged Japan to immediately stop all infringing and provocative acts in the area. According to Kyodo News, the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters reported that the two Chinese vessels that entered the 'territorial waters' on the 25th remained there. This is the 11th day this year that Chinese official vessels have entered the territorial waters around the Diaoyu Islands. The 11th Regional Headquarters stated that both vessels were equipped with autocannons and were attempting to approach the Japanese fishing boat while promoting China's claims; Japanese patrol ships demanded they leave the territorial waters. Another two Chinese vessels were also spotted in the contiguous zone outside the territorial waters. Chinese official vessels have been spotted in the waters around the Diaoyu Islands for 193 consecutive days.