In an apparent response to Japan and the U.S., China sailed three warships through Senkaku Islands in the disputed East China Sea on Monday. The highly proactive action comes barely two days after U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis vowed to protect the contested island during his maiden visit to Japan.       

Like Us on Facebook

Chinese warships sailed within Japan's territorial waters some 12 nautical miles off the Senkaku islands   

Senkaku Islands is one of the many contested islands in the East China Sea, which is entirely claimed by both Asian countries. 

China's oceanic administration, which is responsible for supervising the country's coast guard, posted a statement on its official website announcing that three ships "cruised within China's Diaoyu Islands (Senkaku Islands) territorial sea."   

China's defence ministry quickly confirmed the news of the coast guard ship movement in East China Sea.     

According to Japanese coast guard, Chinese vessels spent nearly two hours in their territorial waters. This was fourth time that Chinese ships breached into Japanese waters this year, while 36 such incidents took place in 2016.

Japan has reportedly lodged protest with Chinese embassy in Tokyo and Beijing.     

The Senkaku Islands has evolved into a major flash point between China and Japan, as both countries have been engaged in a series of face-offs near the contested island over the past couple of years. 

 US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis's Visit to Japan   

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis made his first foreign visit of his tenure by visiting Tokyo barely two days back. As was expected, he launched series of tirade against China over its growing assertiveness in East China Sea and South China Sea.   

Mattis, however, was especially critical about China's constantly making sovereign claim over Senkaku Islands.   

"I made clear that our long-standing policy on the Senkaku Islands stands. The US will continue to recognize Japanese administration of the islands," Mattis said as he evoked US-Japan Security Treaty that obliges "US to defend Japan or its territories if attacked."   

China immediately took note of U.S Defense Secretary's controversial statement as it urged the US government not to destabilize the regional security.

"We urge the US side to adopt a responsible attitude and stop making wrong remarks on the issue of the sovereignty of Diaoyu Islands," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said.   

Tagschina, China and Japan, East China Sea, Japan