China intercepts Japanese vessel near disputed islands

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The China Coast Guard (CCG, 中國海警局) intercepted a Japanese fishing vessel Tuesday (Dec. 2) near the disputed Diaoyutai Islands (釣魚臺), also known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan. The CCG claimed the vessel illegally entered Chinese territorial waters in the East China Sea. Chinese patrol ships engaged in a three-hour standoff with the Japanese vessel, implementing control measures.

Chinese patrol ships implemented strict control measures and issued repeated warnings to drive the Japanese fishing vessel away from the disputed area. The tense standoff lasted three hours before the vessel finally departed the contested waters near the Diaoyutai Islands. The CCG reported the incident as part of routine maritime law enforcement operations in what it claims as Chinese territory.

The confrontation heightened tensions between China and Japan in the East China Sea region over the disputed islands' sovereignty. Japanese patrol vessels arrived on scene and demanded that the Chinese Coast Guard leave the area around the Diaoyutai Islands immediately. The incident marks escalating maritime disputes between the two nations over the strategically important and resource-rich territory in recent months.

This incident marks the second entry of Chinese patrol ships into the disputed waters since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's (高市早苗) controversial remarks Nov. 7 about regional security. Takaichi made statements regarding the 'Taiwan Contingency,' referring to potential military conflict involving Taiwan and its implications for Japan. The remarks triggered increased Chinese maritime activity and patrols around the Diaoyutai Islands in recent weeks.

Four Chinese Coast Guard ships, two armed with machine guns, patrolled the Diaoyutai Islands Nov. 16 in a show of force. The Tuesday (Dec. 2) operation involved four similarly equipped ships conducting maritime law enforcement and patrol activities in the area. The armed presence demonstrates China's commitment to asserting its territorial claims in the disputed waters against Japanese control.

Japanese statistics show this incident represents the 29th entry of Chinese government vessels into the Diaoyutai Islands' territorial waters in 2025. The data indicates increased pressure from China in the region throughout the year. Chinese government vessels have appeared around the Diaoyutai Islands for 18 consecutive days, further straining bilateral relations. ◼