Chinese ships pursue Japanese fishing boat near disputed islands
(dpa)
Tokyo - Chinese ships pursued a Japanese fishing boat close to a disputed group of islands in the East China Sea, according to Japan's coastguard on Saturday.
A patrol ship was sent to protect the fishing boat and demanded the four Chinese ships leave the waters around the islands, the coastguard said, adding that no one was injured in the Friday incident.
The Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan, where they are called Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai respectively.
Beijing frequently sends ships into the area. The islands are uninhabited but an abundance of oil and gas means they have strategic importance.
Relations have improved recently between Japan and China. In April, China's President Xi Jinping was expected to travel to Japan for a state visit, but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands are also claimed by China and Taiwan, where they are called Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai respectively.
Beijing frequently sends ships into the area. The islands are uninhabited but an abundance of oil and gas means they have strategic importance.
Relations have improved recently between Japan and China. In April, China's President Xi Jinping was expected to travel to Japan for a state visit, but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.