Chinese Coast Guard Sails Through Disputed Senkaku Islands Amid Row With Japan

Last Updated:November 16, 2025, 18:11 IST

China sent Coast Guard ships near Senkaku Islands after PM's Taiwan remarks, escalating tensions with Japan. Beijing summoned Japan's ambassador and warned citizens against travel.

Chinese Coast Guard vessels sail through Japan-administered Senkaku Islands (Al Jazeera/X)

China has sent its Coast Guard ship formation through the waters of Senkaku Islands, which is known as Diaoyu in China, in response to Japan Prime Minister’s remarks on Taiwan.

Tensions grew between the two countries after new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on November 7 that a hypothetical Chinese attack on democratically-ruled Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has always emphasized the use of force to take control of the island. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.

“China Coast Guard vessel 1307 formation conducted patrols within the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands. This was a lawful patrol operation conducted by the China Coast Guard to uphold its rights and interests," China Coast Guard said in a statement.

China and Japan have had repeatedly faced off around the Japan-administered islands.

Following Takaichi’s remarks, China’s Consul General in Osaka said: “The dirty head that sticks itself out must be cut off."

In response, Beijing summoned the Japanese ambassador for the first time in more than two years, and China’s defence ministry declared that any Japanese intervention would be doomed to fail, Reuters reported.

On Friday, China warned its citizens against travelling to Japan. Reuters quoted three Chinese airlines as saying on Saturday that tickets to Japan could be refunded or changed for free.

News world Chinese Coast Guard Sails Through Disputed Senkaku Islands Amid Row With Japan

Read More