China Coast Guard Protests US-Japan Drills... Deploys Vessels to Senkaku Islands

China Reacts Against Reports Setting 'Virtual Enemy' Status

On the 6th, the Chinese Coast Guard announced through its official social media account that "the 2502 fleet of the Chinese Coast Guard sailed (patrolled) within our Diaoyudao territorial waters," adding that "this is a rights protection patrol activity conducted by the Chinese Coast Guard in accordance with the law."

The appearance of the Senkaku Islands, which Japan claims as its territory

The Senkaku Islands (called Diaoyudao in Chinese), currently under Japan's effective control, are the subject of a territorial dispute between China and Japan. The Chinese Coast Guard frequently publicizes patrols around the Senkaku Islands to build justification supporting its territorial claims.

In the past, China has consistently conducted shows of force around the Senkaku Islands whenever Japan raised issues that China defines as "core interests," such as the Taiwan issue. Notable instances include when Japan mentioned Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang during diplomatic and defense talks with the UK in November last year, and when Taro Aso, former Prime Minister and Deputy President of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, expressed opposition to "Taiwan unification" last month.

This patrol is interpreted as a response to Japanese media reports that China was designated as a "simulated enemy" in the US-Japan joint military exercises held from the 1st to the 8th of this month. The announcement was made shortly after the Chinese Embassy issued a warning message targeting Japan, stating, "If anyone interferes in China's internal affairs and obstructs China's unification, they will surely pay a heavy price."