Armed Chinese vessel enters Japan waters

Tokyo: A Chinese coastguard vessel with what appeared to be gun turrets entered territorial waters claimed by Japan in the East China Sea, Japan’s coastguard said on Saturday, adding that it was the first such incursion by an armed Chinese vessel in the disputed area. The vessel was one of three that appeared in the waters off the disputed Senkaku Islands, known in China as the Diaoyus, shortly after 9:30 am and left Japanese-claimed wa-ters about 70 minutes later, a Japan coastguard spokeswoman said.

The vessel had first been sighted in the area on Tuesday afternoon and was sailing 29 km (18 miles) off one of the contested islands as of 9:00 am on Wednesday, according to Japan’s coastguard. At that time, China said its vessels were carrying standard equipment and doing nothing wrong in Chinese waters. Chinese coastguard vessels sail regularly near the islets.