Chinese Vessels Enter Japanese Territorial Waters
Japan Coast Guard officials say two Chinese government ships entered Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea on Monday morning.
They say the ships entered the waters off Minamikojima island shortly before 7 a.m. and reportedly approached a Japanese fishing boat.
The officials say that as of 7 a.m., the Chinese ships were navigating in Japan's territorial waters about 21 kilometers south-southeast and about 22 kilometers southeast from the island.
The Coast Guard is warning off the vessels and has sent patrol ships to ensure the safety of the Japanese fishing boat.
This is the seventh time this year that the Coast Guard has spotted Chinese government ships entering Japan's territorial waters off the Senkaku Islands.
Japan controls the islands and the Japanese government maintains they are an inherent part of the nation's territory. China and Taiwan claim them.