Latest news with #Japan-administered
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
China Builds New Structure in Disputed Waters Claimed by US Ally
Japan says it has lodged a protest over a new Chinese structure near the median line between the two countries in the energy-rich East China Sea. The dispute echoes a similar one with South Korea, which has recently stepped up its objections to Chinese activities in the Yellow Sea. Beijing's neighbors fear it plans to achieve de facto control over these areas. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via email with a request for comment. Tokyo views unilateral construction as a violation of the spirit of a still-unimplemented 2008 agreement to jointly develop gas fields until the two sides can agree on a formal demarcation of each's exclusive economic zone-within which a state is entitled to sole access to resources under maritime law. The issue comes as China increases patrols by its heavily armed coast guard near the Japan-administered, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands, drawing stern rebukes from the U.S. ally. Japan's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it had "immediately issued a strong protest" to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo over the latest structure. "It is extremely regrettable that China is advancing unilateral development in the East China Sea, while the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf have not yet been delimited," the ministry said in a statement. In the protest, Kanai Masaaki, director-general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, urged Beijing to resume talks on implementing the 2008 accord, the statement said. Tokyo says this is the 19th structure of its kind. The continued additions, which have included hydrocarbon platforms and oil rigs-both permanent and mobile-indicate China is ramping up fossil fuel production in these waters. While China sees the 2008 agreement as non-binding, it has so far limited construction to its side of the median line. Japan believes these operations are likely draining gas and oil basins that straddle the line and that the resources should be shared. The controversy mirrors a similar dispute in the Yellow Sea, where China has a separate agreement with South Korea. That accord covers a provisional measures zone-an area where the countries' EEZ claims overlap and where both sides agreed to limit activity to fishing and navigation. Seoul says a jack-up rig China installed in these waters in 2022-without notification-could qualify as a permanent structure and signal the start of Chinese eastward expansion. China insists the platform supports aquaculture operations. The issue featured in talks when officials from both sides met for talks in April. South Korean officials have since warned of "proportional" countermeasures if Beijing fails to be more transparent about the rig and its purpose. Collin Koh, senior fellow at Singapore's Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, told Newsweek: "Erecting structures along the median line in contested maritime spaces help give an appearance of effective control and administration, thus facilitating one to push a claim." China has not yet publicly responded to Japan's latest complaint. But based on past behavior, it is likely to move forward with the new installation. Related Articles US Ally Confronts Armed Chinese Ships in Disputed WatersChina Factory Protests Show When US Tariffs Began to BiteTrump Trade Deals Offer Lifeline to Farmers and Ranchers Like Me | OpinionUS Reveals Nuclear Submarine in China's Backyard 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
15-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
China Builds New Structure in Disputed Waters Claimed by US Ally
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. Japan says it has lodged a protest over a new Chinese structure near the median line between the two countries in the energy-rich East China Sea. The dispute echoes a similar one with South Korea, which has recently stepped up its objections to Chinese activities in the Yellow Sea. Beijing's neighbors fear it plans to achieve de facto control over these areas. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry via email with a request for comment. Why It Matters Tokyo views unilateral construction as a violation of the spirit of a still-unimplemented 2008 agreement to jointly develop gas fields until the two sides can agree on a formal demarcation of each's exclusive economic zone—within which a state is entitled to sole access to resources under maritime law. The issue comes as China increases patrols by its heavily armed coast guard near the Japan-administered, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands, drawing stern rebukes from the U.S. ally. What To Know Japan's Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it had "immediately issued a strong protest" to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo over the latest structure. "It is extremely regrettable that China is advancing unilateral development in the East China Sea, while the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf have not yet been delimited," the ministry said in a statement. Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, left, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, hold a talk at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec. 25, 2024. Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, left, and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, hold a talk at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Dec. 25, 2024. Kyodo News via AP In the protest, Kanai Masaaki, director-general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, urged Beijing to resume talks on implementing the 2008 accord, the statement said. Tokyo says this is the 19th structure of its kind. The continued additions, which have included hydrocarbon platforms and oil rigs—both permanent and mobile—indicate China is ramping up fossil fuel production in these waters. While China sees the 2008 agreement as non-binding, it has so far limited construction to its side of the median line. Japan believes these operations are likely draining gas and oil basins that straddle the line and that the resources should be shared. The controversy mirrors a similar dispute in the Yellow Sea, where China has a separate agreement with South Korea. That accord covers a provisional measures zone—an area where the countries' EEZ claims overlap and where both sides agreed to limit activity to fishing and navigation. Seoul says a jack-up rig China installed in these waters in 2022—without notification—could qualify as a permanent structure and signal the start of Chinese eastward expansion. China insists the platform supports aquaculture operations. The issue featured in talks when officials from both sides met for talks in April. South Korean officials have since warned of "proportional" countermeasures if Beijing fails to be more transparent about the rig and its purpose. What People Are Saying Collin Koh, senior fellow at Singapore's Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies, told Newsweek: "Erecting structures along the median line in contested maritime spaces help give an appearance of effective control and administration, thus facilitating one to push a claim." What Happens Next China has not yet publicly responded to Japan's latest complaint. But based on past behavior, it is likely to move forward with the new installation.
Miami Herald
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Confronts Armed Chinese Ships in Disputed Waters
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. 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. 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. 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. 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." 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. Related Articles Map Shows Countries That Prefer China to the USPhotos Show Allied Jets Escorting US Bombers in New Frontline DrillsChina Makes New Move Against US Ally in Disputed WatersUS Stealth Fighters Sent To Allied Base to Counter China Threat 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Confronts Armed Chinese Ships in Disputed Waters
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. 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.
