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11/22/2024 06:50:21 am

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Japan Calls on International Community to Condemn China's Encroachment Into Disputed Islands

Shinzo Abe, China

(Photo : REUTERS/Toru Hanai) In the Financial Times interview this past Sunday, Abe said he was strongly concerned about China's development of installations and facilities in the disputed Nansha Islands (Spratlys) and its moves in the East China Sea.

Japan has called on the international community to 'raise its voice' over China's alleged encroachment into disputed islands in the South China Sea and East China Sea, prompting the Chinese military to go on 'high alert.'

Chinese authorities have said that the military is on 'high alert' against Japan's attempt to interfere with the raging South China Sea issue after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave an extensive interview to the Financial Times where he denounced China's alleged encroachment into the contested islands.

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In the Financial Times interview this past Sunday, Abe said he was strongly concerned about China's development of installations and facilities in the disputed Nansha Islands (Spratlys) and its moves in the East China Sea.

Abe urged  the international community to denounce and 'raise its voice' against China for building artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea and attempting to develop resources in the East China Sea.

China has built several installations and facilities in the contested waters, including an airstrip in the disputed Nansha Islands.

Over the past two weeks, Japan said the airstrip China built on the Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea has started operations with civilian aircraft flying tourists in and out of the island.

Japan also criticized China for the recent naval patrols by Chinese frigates near Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea and vowed to conduct retaliatory actions.

Japan and China have a long-standing feud over mineral rights in the East China Sea.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, in response to Abe's pronouncements, said China was exercising its right and sovereignty on its territory in the Nansha Islands when it built the installations and facilities.

Hong called out Japan for its record during World War II, saying that Tokyo snatched some islands under China in the course of the war.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. Construction by China on relevant islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands falls within China's sovereignty. It is legitimate, reasonable and justified," Hong said.

The spokesman said Japan should be cautious in speaking about the South China Sea and East China Sea issues and should instead exert efforts on maintaining peace and harmony in the region.

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