12 Chinese ships patrol in waters around Diaoyu Islands

Edited and Translated by Yao Chun, People's Daily Online

Twelve Chinese vessels including 10 marine surveillance ships and 2 fishery patrol ships have arrived at waters around the Diaoyu Islands to conduct patrol and law enforcement. This is the largest marine patrol in China’s history.

According to Japan Coast Guard, as of 3 p.m. Sept. 18, 10 Chinese marine surveillance ships and a Chinese fishery ship entered waters about 12 nautical miles to 24 nautical miles off the Diaoyu Islands. Japanese Coast Guard warned Chinese ships by radio but the warnings were rejected by the Chinese ships. Then the Japanese side kept a close guard on Chinese ships but didn’t take any other actions.

At 5:50 a.m. this morning, a Chinese ship China Yuzheng 35001 arrived at waters 43 kilometers to the north by northwest of Diaoyu Islands to conduct patrol, which is the first Chinese fishery ship that appears in waters near Diaoyu Islands.

At about 7:30, China Yuzheng 35001 sailed to waters 24 kilometers north by northwest from the Huangweiyu Island and claimed to the Japanese Coast Guard: “Diaoyu Islands are China’s inherent territory. We are implementing the patrol mission.” Then it warned the Japanese ship to leave China’s territorial waters quickly.

Japanese government said that an office was urgently established at the official residence of Japan’s prime minister in order to collect intelligence and strengthen the guard.

As the summer fishing moratorium ended, China estimated that more Chinese fishing boats than previous years will fish in waters near Diaoyu Islands, Chinese fishery patrol ships will carry out fishing patrol at the same time.

Japanese Coast Guard has prepared a large number of patrol ships of varying sizes to meet the challenge; it has tightened vigilance and monitoring of surrounding sea, according to Japan’s Kyodo News.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said on Sept. 17 at a regular press conference that the Diaoyu Islands and the affiliated islets are China’s territory. Waters around Diaoyu Islands are the traditional fishing grounds of China. China’s fishery department will administrate the fishery production activities of Chinese fishermen and provide them with services in this area.