Japan has lodged a formal protest against China’s deployment of a drilling vessel in a disputed gas-rich area of the East China Sea, amid heightened bilateral tensions.
TOKYO: Japan has lodged a formal protest with China over the operation of a mobile drilling vessel in a disputed area of the East China Sea.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara confirmed the vessel was moored on the Chinese side of the two countries’ median line.
Japan’s coastguard issued a navigation warning regarding the vessel on January 2.
“The boundaries of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in the East China Sea have yet to be determined,” Kihara said.
He stated it was “deeply regrettable that China continues its unilateral development activities” under these circumstances.
Japan has strongly protested to China through diplomatic channels, he added.
The operation is believed to be exploratory drilling for a new gas field, according to Kyodo news agency.
The area in question is covered by a 2008 joint development agreement for oil and gas resources.
Negotiations on the agreement stopped in 2010 and have not resumed.
Japan asserts the median line between the two nations should mark the limits of their respective exclusive economic zones.
China insists the border should be drawn closer to Japan, based on the continental shelf.
The dispute reignites amid significant stress in bilateral relations.
Tensions escalated after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened force to control it.
Beijing’s sharp diplomatic backlash included urging its citizens to avoid travel to Japan.
It has also recently tightened controls on exports to Japan of items with possible military uses.
