Chinese media reported that China announced and then withdrew plans to move resource extraction equipment around the Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyudao in Chinese).
The appearance of the Senkaku Islands, which Japan claims as its territory
On the 21st (local time), Kyodo News and NHK reported that the China Maritime Safety Administration announced plans to move drilling equipment for resource extraction such as natural gas to the area around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, but later withdrew the plan.
According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the 20th, the China Maritime Safety Administration announced on its website that it planned to move drilling equipment starting that day until the 23rd to a location about 140 km north of Daishojima, an uninhabited island belonging to the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
In response, Japanese government spokesperson and Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno stated at a press conference, "The location in question is Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) continental shelf," and added, "If any acts infringing on sovereignty or jurisdiction occur, they will never be accepted." He further said, "We are currently conveying our opinions and requesting explanations through diplomatic channels."
Chinese authorities reportedly informed the Japanese side that the announcement was withdrawn due to an "input error."
The Senkaku Islands are a disputed area over which Japan and China claim sovereignty, with Japan currently exercising effective control.
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