Disputed islands, the tension rises
Chinese ships break the blockade

FOUR Chinese government boats entered the territorial waters of the East China Sea this morning, administered by Japan, but claimed by Beijing. This was announced by the Japanese coast guard. The four boats for maritime surveillance entered the disputed waters shortly after 12:30 local time, the coast guard said, asking them to leave.

The five Senkaku islands (called Diaoyu by the Chinese), uninhabited and located 200 kilometers north-east from the coasts of Taiwan and 400 kilometers west of Okinawa, in southern Japan, have for weeks been at the center of a heated dispute between the two countries. Recently, Taiwan has also claimed control of the islands.
(02 October 2012)