The United States is ready to defend its ally, Japan, against any military threat that may erupt in Tokyo's controlled islands, the Senkaku, in the East China Sea, as stipulated in a security treaty signed by both countries.

US State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau, during a press briefing on Wednesday at the White House, said the US vehemently opposes any party that would threaten Japan's hold on the Senkaku Islands after more than  230 Chinese fishing vessels, including seven Coast Guard ships sailed near the group of islands over the weekend.

Like Us on Facebook

"We oppose any unilateral action that seeks to undermine Japan's administration of the Senkaku Islands," Trudeau said.

US-Japan security treaty

Trudeau pointed out that although the US is not taking any sides in the ownership dispute over the islands, it is, however, obligated to defend Japan if any incident happens in the area, which is also being claimed by China based on the 1960 US-Japan security treaty.

"The Senkaku Islands have been under Japanese administration since the reversion of Okinawa in 1972. They fall within the scope of Article Five of the 1960 US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security," she said.

Last Saturday, a swarm of more than 230 Chinese fishing vessels and seven Coast Guard ships entered Japanese waters and sailed near the Japanese-controlled islands, the Senkaku, angering Tokyo.

Diplomatic protest

Tokyo has lodged a diplomatic protest with Beijing over the Chinese incursion demanding that the vessels leave the area immediately.

Meanwhile, China has justified the move saying the area has been part of its territory since the ancient times and that no one can stop the Chinese vessels from operating in waters within their country's jurisdiction.

Trudeau emphasized that US forces have been in touch with their Japanese counterparts following China's incursion into Tokyo's waters and have expressed concern over the growing number of Coast Guard vessels sailing near the disputed islands.

TagsSenkaku/Diaoyu Islands, East China Sea, Washington, US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, Japan, china