China has issued a strong warning to Japan following a Diaoyu Islands incursion by a Japanese fishing boat this week. On Wednesday and Thursday, the China Coast Guard (CCG) confronted the vessel after it allegedly entered Chinese territorial waters. CCG officers took necessary action and issued repeated expulsion warnings to the Japanese crew. According to Beijing, the incident violated Chinese sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction. The Diaoyu Islands incursion prompted immediate diplomatic concern from Chinese authorities.
CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun reaffirmed China’s sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands and all affiliated islets. During Thursday’s briefing, Liu said the islands are an inherent part of Chinese territory. He urged Japan to halt what he called illegal activities in the disputed waters immediately. Chinese maritime forces will continue regular enforcement in the area to assert jurisdiction. Officials stated that this Diaoyu Islands incursion would not deter future patrols or legal actions.
Beijing maintains a firm stance on the sovereignty of the East China Sea islands, long contested by Tokyo. Though both sides claim the territory, China accuses Japan of repeated provocations through fishing operations and coast guard patrols. These actions often trigger maritime standoffs and heightened diplomatic tensions. China asserts that it has historical and legal claims over the territory dating back centuries. Consequently, this latest Diaoyu Islands incursion has reignited an already volatile regional dispute.
China Coast Guard units have stepped up patrols near the Diaoyu Islands since early 2024, citing increased foreign vessel activity. Officials say the current approach involves both law enforcement and safeguarding national sovereignty. The CCG pledged to maintain its rights protection operations with greater intensity going forward. Moreover, the government stated that no foreign vessel can enter the area without permission. The latest Diaoyu Islands incursion signals the need for stronger boundary enforcement, authorities argue.
As tensions rise in East Asia, both China and Japan face pressure to manage disputes peacefully. However, neither side appears willing to compromise on territorial claims over the Diaoyu Islands. Beijing continues to frame each incursion as a violation of international law and Chinese sovereignty. Japan, meanwhile, insists its actions fall within legal fishing rights. The Diaoyu Islands incursion may soon lead to renewed diplomatic confrontation unless both sides agree to de-escalate.
