Chinese Coast Guard Expels Japanese Fishing Boats Near Dispute Diaoyu Island

China Coast Guard/PHOTO via Wikimedia Commons

China's coast guard said it was taking "the necessary control measures" against "expelled" four Japanese fishing vessels and several patrol boats entering the Diaoyu Islands' "territorial waters" between June 20-24.

The waters around the islands were disputed and claimed by China and Japan, which called them the Senkaku Islands. The two sides faced each other in the waters, deploying patrol boats and urging others to leave the area.

"We urge Japan to immediately stop all illegal activities in the region and ensure similar incidents do not happen again," a Chinese coast guard spokesman said in a statement.

Previously, tensions between China and the Philippines occurred in the South China Sea.

A Philippine sailors suffered serious injuries after what the Philippine military described as "deliberately high-speed complaints" by the Chinese Coast Guard, aimed at disrupting a troop supply mission stationed at Second Thomas Shoal on June 17.

The Philippines also described this incident as a pirate act because China's panatai guards carried axes and other sharp objects while boarding the Philippine ship.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs denies the Philippines' statement. Spokesman said the actions taken by the coast guard were legitimate and professional actions.

We see the latest events in Ayungin not as a misunderstanding or accident. This is a deliberate action by Chinese officials to prevent us from completing our mission, "said Teodoro, using local names for Second Thomas Shoal.

It is the use of aggressive and illegal forces. But we continue to find peaceful solutions to this problem," said Teodoro.

Teodoro said the Philippines would continue to increase its supply of troops stationed on shipships Mangrossed at Second Thomas Shoal.

Responding to Teodoro's statement, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines "must stop its violations and provocations" and "work with China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea".