Chinese Coast Guard Enters Japan's EEZ Near Yonaguni Island, Claims Jurisdiction for First Time

(Central News Agency, Shanghai, 9th, reporter Liao Wenqi) According to Japanese media reports, on June 3, two Chinese Coast Guard vessels, after sailing in the waters east of Taiwan, entered Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the waters south of Yonaguni Island, Okinawa Prefecture, and claimed the area was under Chinese jurisdiction. This is the first time the China Coast Guard has asserted jurisdiction in this area.

According to NHK, in response to radio calls from the Japan Coast Guard, the Chinese Coast Guard vessels replied, "This is a routine patrol in China's jurisdictional waters." This is believed to be the first time Chinese Coast Guard vessels have asserted jurisdiction to the Japan Coast Guard within Japan's EEZ south of Yonaguni Island.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minoru Kihara, stated at a press conference after a cabinet meeting that the Japanese government is aware of the situation of Chinese Coast Guard vessels navigating within Japan's EEZ south of Yonaguni Island. However, citing security considerations, he did not disclose further details. He emphasized that the Japanese government will maintain its stance of resolutely defending its territorial land, sea, air, and sovereign rights, and will respond with a firm and calm attitude.

According to the report, citing data from the vessel tracking website MarineTraffic, one of the vessels departed from a port in Zhejiang Province, China, on May 30, sailed south, and then turned eastward on June 1 in the waters east of Taiwan, entering Japan's EEZ on the morning of June 3.

Subsequently, the vessel sailed northward within the EEZ, approaching to about 80 kilometers south of Yonaguni Island on the afternoon of June 4, before turning south again and exiting the EEZ. Until June 8, the two vessels continued to operate in the surrounding waters, with the Japan Coast Guard maintaining vigilance and surveillance.

Japan and the Philippines issued a joint statement after their summit on May 28, announcing the start of negotiations on maritime boundaries for the EEZ and continental shelf. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed opposition, asserting China's rights to an EEZ and continental shelf in the waters east of Taiwan. On June 1, the China Coast Guard announced that the Daishan Island flotilla had begun law enforcement patrols in the waters east of Taiwan, suggesting this was a countermeasure against the Japan-Philippines actions. (Editor: Qiu Guoqiang) 1150609