Japan has summoned China’s ambassador to the country this week, after Chinese vessels entered what Japan claims to be their territorial waters for over 13 hours.
The Japanese Foreign Ministry said that strong protests were registered after four Chinese surveillance ships entered the area surrounding the disputed islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, said the Chinese excursion was “an extremely unusual incident and very regrettable”.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei responded by saying that the islands were "an inherent part of Chinese territory," and added,
"We do not accept Japan's protests and representations... Despite China's objections, Japan sent vessels and planes to the waters and airspace of the Diaoyu Islands for many times. China made representations many times, urging Japan to stop illegal acts that violated China's sovereignty".
The latest escalation in tensions comes as Japan announced that they would seek to boost military spending, with a military spokesman stating that the money was needed "to prepare for the changing security environment surrounding Japan".
See a report from the Guardian here on how drone technology may rapidly play a bigger role in the escalating dispute.
