China has increased its activity around the disputed Senkaku Islands as tensions with Japan have risen sharply. The latest moves include a China Coast Guard patrol near the islands and military drones flying close to Japanese territory. The escalation comes shortly after Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi said that a Chinese attack on Taiwan “could trigger a military response from Tokyo.” Beijing strongly objected to her statement and has demanded a retraction.
China Patrols Near Senkaku Islands
On Sunday, the Chinese Coast Guard announced that its ships carried out a “rights enforcement patrol” through the waters of the Senkaku Islands. Japan administers the islands, but China claims them as the Diaoyu Islands.
In a statement, the coast guard said, “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.”
Such confrontations are not new, but the timing adds to the growing diplomatic and military strain between the two countries.
Beijing Reacts Strongly to PM Takaichi’s Taiwan Comment
Takaichi’s remark in parliament — that Tokyo could respond militarily if China uses force against Taiwan — drew immediate anger from Beijing. China views Taiwan as its territory and warns foreign governments against supporting the island.
Beijing has signalled it expects Takaichi to withdraw her statement. Meanwhile, Japan has reported increasing Chinese pressure since the controversy broke out.
Chinese Drones Fly Near Japanese Territory
Taiwan’s defence ministry said it detected 30 Chinese military aircraft, seven navy ships, and one “official” ship near the island within 24 hours. Maps showed drones flying close to Japanese islands, especially Yonaguni, Japan’s closest island to Taiwan.
While Chinese military flights in the region are not unusual, such large-scale activity has been rare in recent weeks.
Taiwan said China also carried out “joint combat patrols” aimed at “harass[ing] the airspace and sea around us,” adding that it had deployed its own aircraft and vessels in response.
Diplomatic War of Words Intensifies
China’s consul general in Osaka sparked outrage after saying that “the dirty head that sticks itself out must be cut off.” Tokyo filed a formal protest. China later summoned Japan’s ambassador — the first such move in more than two years.
China’s defence ministry also declared that any Japanese intervention in a Taiwan conflict “would be doomed to fail.”
China Issues Travel and Study Advisories
China warned its citizens against traveling to Japan, prompting airlines to offer free refunds or ticket changes. Beijing then urged Chinese students to “carefully reconsider” studying in Japan, citing an “unstable security environment.”
Japan hosts more than 123,000 Chinese students, and a drop in their numbers could hurt universities that depend on international admissions.
Regional Stability at Risk as US Could Be Pulled In
Security analysts warn that the rising tension could destabilize the region. Japan is a key US ally, and any conflict over Taiwan could draw Washington into a wider confrontation involving multiple countries. The Senkaku islands lie only 110 km from Taiwan, making the area one of the most sensitive flashpoints in East Asia.
