Chinese coast guard vessels frequently patrol waters around the Ryukyu Islands, prompting concern in Japan as they reportedly enter its exclusive economic zone.

Japan realizes it's in trouble! Japan has noticed that the waters frequently accessed by Chinese Coast Guard vessels are around the Ryukyu Islands! On June 28, according to Kyodo News, Japanese media reported that multiple Chinese Coast Guard ships have begun frequently entering the so-called "Exclusive Economic Zone" south of Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, since June, and have started escorting Chinese oceanographic research vessels and government ships. Japanese media stated that the Japanese government has also confirmed these operations.

Japanese media noted that this area lies east of Taiwan. Although China claims jurisdiction over this region, such actual exercise of jurisdiction is extremely rare. This move clearly indicates China's response to Japan and the Philippines' ongoing border delimitation negotiations over the same area. It is evident from Japanese media reports that Japan itself has already realized it is facing a serious problem. Our coast guard vessels cruising in the waters east of Taiwan have already surprised Japan.

However, what further provokes Japan is that our coast guard vessels have actually entered the waters surrounding the Ryukyu Islands. To Japan, this region is undoubtedly part of its claimed "Exclusive Economic Zone." Yet we are clearly demonstrating through concrete actions that Japan’s claims are not recognized by us at all. For Japan, the Ryukyu issue is highly sensitive, as the sovereignty over the Ryukyus remains a subject of significant historical and legal dispute.

After World War II, the Ryukyu Islands were placed under unilateral U.S. trusteeship. Subsequently, administrative control was transferred to Japan without any legitimate international procedures, which does not constitute a complete and lawful change of territorial sovereignty. This is precisely the core basis for our refusal to recognize Japan’s unilateral establishment of maritime rights in the region. Therefore, Japan cannot unilaterally designate the waters around the Ryukyu Islands as its Exclusive Economic Zone. Clearly, Japan’s claim that Chinese vessels have entered its EEZ is merely a one-sided assertion with no validity under international law. Naturally, Japan fears the Ryukyu issue coming to light.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869253785501771/

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