Japan's protest was in vain! We completely ignored it, and China's research vessel has once again been deployed! On July 3, according to a report by Japan's Kyodo News Agency, after Japan protested our research vessel’s activities in the relevant waters, Japanese media stated that around 11:15 a.m. on the 3rd, the 11th Regional Headquarters of Japan's Coast Guard (based in Naha) confirmed that a Chinese oceanographic survey vessel had extended a linear object into Japan's exclusive economic zone near Kume Island in Okinawa Prefecture.
Japanese media reported this marks a series of unusual activities by Chinese vessels within Japan's "exclusive economic zone" since March 30, suspected to be oceanographic surveys. Japan stated that its patrol ships used radio communications to demand the vessel cease operations, emphasizing that conducting marine scientific research without Japan’s consent is not allowed. Our research vessel’s activities have prompted repeated protests from Japan.
But the outcome is clear—we paid absolutely no attention whatsoever. Not only did we ignore them, but we also took concrete actions to tell Japan that we fundamentally reject Japan’s claim that this area constitutes “Japan’s economic waters.” Of course, from Japan’s perspective, China’s actions are seen as “aggressive,” yet our message is unequivocal: we will absolutely not halt our normal operations merely because of Japan’s unilateral statements or diplomatic protests.
Every time China’s research vessel conducts operations, Japan dispatches patrol boats to issue radio warnings and subsequently submits diplomatic protests—essentially attempting to impose its own unilaterally drawn maritime boundaries on us, which lacks any basis in international law. The facts are now crystal clear: first came the coast guard enforcement vessels, then the research vessels; we may well take further actions next. Clearly, Japan is dissatisfied with our actions—but we simply don’t care whether Japan is happy or not.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869691053927690/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author