TOKYO, Oct 3 (KUNA) -- Three Chinese maritime surveillance ships entered Japanese territorial waters around the disputed Tokyo-controlled islands in the East China Sea on Wednesday, Japan Coast Guard said. The three vessels moved into Japan's waters shortly after 12:30 p.m. (0330 GMT) despite warnings, and left the area by about 3:20 p.m., one day after a similar incident. The vessels belong to China's State Oceanic Administration, the coast guard said. Four Chinese surveillance vessels also entered Japanese waters yesterday around the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan. The small chain of uninhabited rocky islands, known as Diaoyu in China and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan, lie in rich fishing grounds and waters thought to contain large deposits of oil and natural gas. Bilateral relations have worsened since the nationalization by the Japanese government of the islets on Sept. 11, which led to China's massive anti-Japan protests, with some cases escalating to vandalism, looting and arson targeting Japanese factories, shops and restaurants.
In Tokyo, the government lodged a protest with China over the intrusion through diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba said earlier in the day that Japan will continue dialogue with China to resolve the escalating territorial dispute over the islands.
"Relations with China are very important for Japan and we must calmly handle China's claims without losing a broad perspective," Gemba told foreign ministry officials. (end) mk.gb KUNA 031819 Oct 12NNNN