China coast guard vessels enter disputed waters in East China Sea

A group of disputed islands, Uotsuri island (top), Minamikojima (bottom) and Kitakojima, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China is seen in the East China Sea, in this photo taken by Kyodo September 2012. REUTERS FILE PHOTO

BEIJING/TOKYO — China’s Coast Guard said on Tuesday it patrolled the waters of the Diaoyu Islands, also known as the Senkaku Islands.

The islands, which lie in the East China Sea, are jointly claimed by China, Japan and Taiwan.

READ: A small museum in Tokyo asserts Japanese sovereignty

Japan’s Coast Guard separately said in a bulletin that it was repeatedly urging the four Chinese coast guard vessels to leave “our territorial waters”.

Chinese coastguard vessels last entered the waters on Jan. 27, Japan’s Coast Guard said.

READ: China’s provocations near Senkaku Islands have become the norm