The China Coast Guard (CCG) intensified maritime patrols between Friday and Monday, expelling multiple Japanese fishing vessels that entered waters near the Diaoyu Islands, which Beijing identifies as inherent Chinese territory. CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun confirmed the enforcement actions on Monday, stating vessels implemented 'lawful management measures' to safeguard sovereignty.
According to Liu, the Japanese boats were operating without authorization in what China considers its territorial waters. CCG ships issued warnings and escorted the vessels out of the area, underscoring Beijing's zero-tolerance policy toward unauthorized maritime activities.
'The Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands have always been integral parts of Chinese territory,' Liu emphasized, urging Japan to 'immediately cease all illegal actions' in the region. The CCG reaffirmed plans to maintain routine patrols and law enforcement operations to protect China's maritime rights.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the resource-rich East China Sea, where overlapping territorial claims have long complicated China-Japan relations. Analysts suggest such encounters could influence regional security dynamics and maritime trade routes critical to global supply chains.
For business leaders and policymakers, the development underscores the need to monitor cross-strait security policies that might affect shipping lanes or regional investments. Academics and diaspora communities will also follow how these enforcement actions align with historical claims and modern international law frameworks.
