TOKYO, Japan: A Japanese navy destroyer, the Suzutsuki, made an unexpected entry into China’s territorial waters off Zhejiang province near Taiwan on July 4, raising serious concerns from Beijing, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.
Tasked with monitoring Chinese missile exercises in the East China Sea, the Suzutsuki entered the waters without prior notification to China, according to NTV and Kyodo news agencies.
The destroyer sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Zhejiang coast for approximately 20 minutes, despite warnings from Chinese vessels. In response, Beijing expressed serious concerns to Tokyo. The Japanese defense ministry is investigating the incident, questioning the intentions of the Suzutsuki’s captain and crew.
This incident follows previous tensions, including China’s naval entries into Japanese waters and a recent U.S. Navy ship’s alleged illegal entry into disputed South China Sea waters.
