Taiwan sends patrol boats near disputed islands

In this Sept. 2, 2012 file photo, the survey ship Koyo Maru, left, chartered by Tokyo city officials, sails around Minamikojima, foreground, Kitakojima, middle right, and Uotsuri, background, the tiny islands in the East China Sea, called Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. Japan’s Cabinet formally announced Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 that the government will purchase several disputed islands that China also claims – a plan that Beijing said would be met with “serious consequences.” AP FILE PHOTO

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Two Taiwanese coast guard patrol ships have sailed to waters near a disputed island chain in the East China Sea to assert Taiwan’s claim to it.

The coast guard says the ships sailed Thursday to waters 25 nautical miles west of the chain to demonstrate the coast guard’s ability to protect local fishermen.

The chain — known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China — is controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan. Japan’s government purchased several of the islands from their private owners this week. China called the purchase “null and void” and threatened “serious consequences.”

Reporters on the Taiwanese ships say the coast guard showed off machine guns on the deck but didn’t fire shots. No confrontation with the Japanese coast guard was reported.