US Ally Confronts Armed Chinese Ships in Disputed Waters
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
China's coast guard entered the territorial waters of the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands Wednesday morning in the East China Sea in what the agency called a "rights-protection patrol."
Newsweek reached out to the Chinese foreign ministry via email with a request for comment.
Why It Matters
The uninhabited Senkakus, known in China as the Diaoyu Islands, are at the center of a long-running territorial dispute between the two neighbors. Taiwan also claims the island group.
Tokyo nationalized the islands in 2012, drawing strong protest from Beijing, which has since progressively stepped up patrols by its increasingly assertive coast guard—moves Japan sees as attempts to alter the status quo.
What To Know
Wednesday morning, four Chinese coast guard cutters sailed "one after the other" into territorial waters off the Senkakus, NHK cited Japan's coast guard as saying.
This file photos shows a Chinese Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel No. 2302 operating near the Senkaku Islands.
This file photos shows a Chinese Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel No. 2302 operating near the Senkaku Islands.
Getty Images
All four of the vessels were said to have been equipped with deck-mounted guns.
They departed from the zone after about two hours, the Japanese agency said, adding that it had broadcast radio warnings and continues to monitor the situation.
It was the first China coast guard "intrusion" into the territorial waters, or waters extending 12 nautical miles (13.8) off the coastline, since March 7.
Last year, Chinese government ships entered the contiguous zone—an area that extends 12 nautical miles beyond territorial waters—on a record 353 days, according to Tokyo.
Monday marked the 175th consecutive day that Chinese government vessels have been observed in the contiguous zone.
The day before, Japan's coast guard said it had expelled a Chinese oceanographic survey vessel that was operating inside Japan's exclusive economic zone, roughly 140 miles from the Senkakus' Taisho Island.
China operates more than twice as many coast guard vessels over 1,000 tons in displacement as Japan—and many of them are more heavily armed.
China's introduction of a coast guard law, empowering crews to use force to assert Beijing's sovereignty claims, intensified concerns in Tokyo.
What People Are Saying
China's Coast Guard said in a statement: "The China Coast Guard 1306 fleet patrolled the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Dao on May 14. This is a rights-protection patrol activity carried out in accordance with the law."
What's Next
The Senkaku Islands are likely to remain a source of friction as China continues its efforts to normalize patrols there.
U.S. officials have repeatedly affirmed that the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty applies to the Senkakus, though Japan's cautious handling of the dispute suggests the matter is unlikely to escalate into an armed confrontation in the near future.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
16 minutes ago
- New York Post
Tesla sales sink in UK, Germany as Europeans warm to Chinese rival BYD
Tesla sales plunged in Europe's two biggest car markets over the past year, while low-cost Chinese rival BYD continued to race ahead — marking what industry watchers are calling a fundamental shift in the electric vehicle landscape. Elon Musk's pioneering EV company registered just 1,110 new vehicles in Germany last month, a 55% year-over-year drop in its largest European market, according to data released Tuesday. In Britain, Tesla's No. 2 market in Europe, Tesla sales cratered by nearly 60% year over year, with only 987 new registrations in July, according to the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Advertisement 4 A Tesla dealership in Germany, once a symbol of dominance, now reflects the company's steep sales decline. The troubling sales figures come a day after Tesla shareholders granted Musk a new pay package worth nearly $30 billion. The eye-popping compensation is intended to keep Musk focused on the company amid sluggish sales on both sides of the Atlantic in the past 12 months after the mogul increased his political activities. In Europe, he's publicly backed far-right figures and parties — supporting Reform UK and Tommy Robinson in Britain, endorsing Germany's AfD, and expressing sympathy for Marine Le Pen in France. Advertisement In the US, the world's richest person was Donald Trump's largest donor during his presidential run and had a controversial stint in the White House as the de facto head of the Department of Government Efficiency — before their very public falling out in May. In Germany, Tesla has tumbled from third place to eighth in electric vehicle rankings for the first half of 2025, watching its market share shrink from 8.3% to 3.6%. While Tesla has floundered, Germany's EV sales jumped 58% overall and Britain saw growth of nearly 40% over the past seven months. Advertisement 4 Elon Musk addresses the press as Tesla grapples with collapsing sales across key European markets. REUTERS BYD, which counts Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway as an investor, has raced up the charts with vehicles that cost about one-third less than Tesla's cheapest model. In Britain, the company more than quadrupled its registrations in July, building on momentum that saw it register 2,498 vehicles in June alone — a fourfold increase over the previous year. Germany tells a similar tale. BYD's first-half registrations shot up to 4,544 units, compared to around 900 during the same period last year. Advertisement 4 The BYD logo outside a dealership signals the brand's rapid rise in Western Europe, challenging Tesla's lead. Getty Images The global picture reveals just how dramatically things have shifted. BYD sold over 1.1 million plug-in vehicles during the second quarter of 2025, including both battery-only cars and plug-in hybrids, while Tesla managed about 384,000 battery-only electric vehicles. For the first time ever, BYD's battery-only EV sales actually surpassed Tesla's, with the company moving more than 2.1 million total vehicles globally in the first half of the year. Despite Tesla's woes across the pond, it has maintained its position as the most popular EV makers in the United States. 4 A protestor holds up a sign in Berlin earlier this year — one of several public actions pushing back against Tesla's image in Europe. REUTERS The company held a dominant 46% share of the EV market in the second quarter — even after sales dropped an estimated 15% in the first quarter of 2025. But competition stateside is heating up. Advertisement Legacy automakers like General Motors, Honda, Nissan and Porsche posted major year-over-year gains in EV volume, signaling a shift in the competitive landscape. Overall, EVs accounted for 7.4% of all new light-duty vehicles sold in the US during Q2 2025.
Newsweek
17 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Elon Musk Called Out by Bill Maher
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Elon Musk was called out by Bill Maher on a new episode of his podcast about his comments regarding the declining birth rate in the United States. Newsweek reached out to Musk's representative via email for comment on Tuesday. Why It Matters Musk is the world's wealthiest man, with a net worth of $401.7 billion as of August 5, according to Forbes. The 54-year-old is the CEO of Tesla, founder of aerospace company SpaceX, and led President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) until May. He purchased Twitter in 2022 and changed its name to X the following year. Maher, 69, is a comedian and political commentator known for his talk shows Real Time with Bill Maher and Politically Incorrect, as well as his podcast Club Random with Bill Maher. (L) Elon Musk in San Francisco on January 24, 2023. (R) Bill Maher in Los Angeles on February 28, 2025. (L) Elon Musk in San Francisco on January 24, 2023. (R) Bill Maher in Los Angeles on February 28, 2025.;for Creative Artists Agency, LLC What To Know During Monday's episode of Club Random with Bill Maher, Maher spoke with musician Rick Springfield about the Earth's population. Despite Springfield's granddaughter being born just a couple of weeks ago, the "Jessie's Girl" singer said the world doesn't need more people. "I am really falling behind in this reproductive competition," Maher, who has never married or had children, told listeners. "We don't need more!" Springfield said. "I think that," Maher responded. "And yet there's a big movement out there—Elon Musk—many other people talk about, 'We have to have more babies.' This is like a thing." "Eh, everyone else is taking care of that," Springfield said. "But I think they're wrong. I think we already have too many," the television host said. "I think we have way too many," Springfield agreed. "The Earth cannot support what it has now." "Exactly, exactly. Right. Their argument is stupid," Maher said. "Their argument is, 'There's plenty of room.' There's plenty of room. There's not plenty of resources. We could fit them here, we just can't feed them and take care of all their s***." "Exactly, where will all that s*** go? Where does all the food come from and where does all the s*** go?" Springfield asked. "It's insane, there's way too many of us." Maher appeared to be referring to Musk's comments about the declining birth rate. Over the years, the businessman has encouraged people to have more kids. Musk is the father of 14 children. At a Wall Street Journal event in 2021, Musk said, per CNBC: "There are not enough people. I can't emphasize this enough, there are not enough people." He added that the birth rate is "one of the biggest risks to civilization." According to the Congressional Budget Office, the U.S. fertility rate is forecast at 1.6 births per woman over the next 30 years. A 2.1 births per woman average is required to maintain a stable population. Musk shared his thoughts on the topic in a June 26 post on X. "People who have kids do need to have 3 kids to make up for those who have 0 or 1 kid or population will collapse," he said. At the time of publication, his note racked up more than 43.7 million views and 173,000 likes. What People Are Saying In June, Musk hit back at Bill Maher after he said on Real Time With Bill Maher that the tech billionaire "developed a drug habit." Musk wrote on X: "I'm not on drugs ffs." What Happens Next New episodes of Club Random with Bill Maher air Mondays on platforms like Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
Newsweek
17 minutes ago
- Newsweek
DACA Recipient Dad in US Since Age 10 Hoping for Green Card Detained by ICE
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A man who legally came to the United States at age 10 as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and faces deportation, according to his wife. Newsweek reached out to ICE via email for comment. Why It Matters The Trump administration's broad efforts to curtail illegal immigration include government agencies warning DACA recipients that they are not protected by law, going as far as encouraging them to self-deport. "Illegal aliens who claim to be recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [DACA] are not automatically protected from deportations," Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of Homeland Security, previously told Newsweek. "DACA does not confer any form of legal status in this country. Any illegal alien who is a DACA recipient may be subject to arrest and deportation for a number of reasons, including if they've committed a crime." What To Know Alexander Bukhteev, a "Dreamer," is currently in ICE detention and facing removal proceedings after being detained for the last few months, according to a GoFundMe created by his wife, Rachael Bukhteev, of Palm Coast, Florida. Newsweek reached out to Rachael Bukhteev via the webpage for comment. Alexander Bukhteev, who, according to ICE records, is detained at the Florence Correctional Center in Arizona, is slated to stand before a state immigration judge at the end of August. "That day will decide everything—whether he will be deported from the only country he truly knows, or be allowed to come home to us with a green card and finally have the chance to live without fear," Rachael wrote. She said the U.S. is his "home." The couple met in high school, grew up together, and have been married for seven years. They spent their anniversary apart while he was in government custody. "He's not just my husband; he's my best friend, my partner, my daughter's whole world," she wrote. "He was the primary provider for our family and a constant, loving presence in Annalisa's life." The GoFundMe, which was started on July 23, aims to raise $3,000 to help cover legal fees, filing costs, and potential travel expenses. Rachael said she's working two jobs, seven days a week, "just to keep up with basic bills and take care of our daughter, Annalisa." "But no matter how hard I work, there's just not enough left to give him the fighting chance he deserves," she wrote. As of the morning of August 5, the GoFundMe had already raised $1,100 from 18 donations ranging between $10 and $150. Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez speaks during a news conference with immigration experts and DACA recipients to mark the 13th anniversary of the DACA program in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 2025. Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez speaks during a news conference with immigration experts and DACA recipients to mark the 13th anniversary of the DACA program in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 2025. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images What People Are Saying President Donald Trump told Meet the Press in December: "The Democrats have made it very, very difficult to do anything. Republicans are very open to the Dreamers. The Dreamers, we're talking many years ago, they were brought into this country. Many years ago. Some of them are no longer young people. And in many cases, they've become successful. They have great jobs. In some cases, they have small businesses. Some cases, they might have large businesses. And we're going to have to do something with them." What Happens Next DACA's future remains unclear as legal challenges remain ongoing in federal courts. In states like California, which, less than a year ago, allowed undocumented immigrants to sign up for and obtain Covered California health insurance, about 2,300 Dreamers must reportedly find health insurance elsewhere or lose their coverage when the program is terminated at the end of the month.
