Fresh China-Japan Tension Over Disputed Islands
Tensions have flared up again between Tokyo and Beijing after Chinese ships and a flotilla of Japanese activists both arrived in the waters near a group of disputed islands. The two countries have been at odds over the small rocky islands in the East China Sea after Japan purchased some in September, drawing anger from Beijing and anti-Japanese demonstrations across China. No clashes were reported between the flotilla of 10 boats carrying about 80 nationalist activists, escorted by Japan's Coast Guard vessels, and the Chinese ships. But the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the trip by the activists was "illegal" and "trouble-making" while Japan has summoned the Chinese ambassador to Tokyo. The Japanese Coast Guard said eight Chinese maritime surveillance ships had entered the waters near the uninhabited islands. China's State Oceanic Administration said three of its ships were on "regular patrol duty" in the area when they encountered several of the ...