Japanese warship enters territorial waters due to "technical error" and China demands thorough investigation

Japan's Kyodo News Agency quoted diplomatic sources as saying that the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Suzutsuki entered China's territorial waters off the coast of Zhejiang on July 4. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it had lodged a solemn representation to Japan and demanded that Japan thoroughly investigate the incident, which it called a "technical error."

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Kyodo News reported on Wednesday (10th) that after being warned by Chinese ships, the Suzutsuki entered Chinese waters within 12 nautical miles off Zhejiang Province and sailed for about 20 minutes, causing "serious concern" from Beijing. The Japanese Ministry of Defense has launched an investigation into the incident and questioned the captain of the Suzutsuki; the crew's motive for entering Chinese territorial waters is still unclear.

China's Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration issued a navigation warning on the 2nd, stating that from 4 a.m. on July 3 to 6 p.m. on July 5, it will "perform military missions" within the waters connecting the 15 o'clock coordinates and prohibit entry.

Nippon Television (NTV) quoted a source from the Japanese Ministry of Defense as saying that the Suzutsuki was responsible for monitoring China's missile exercises in the East China Sea north of Taiwan, but entered its territorial waters without notifying China.

According to Reuters, when asked about this matter at a regular press conference on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that according to relevant provisions of Chinese law, foreign military ships entering Chinese territorial waters must be approved by the Chinese government. For foreign military ships that enter Chinese territorial waters without China's approval, China will deal with them in accordance with the law.

Lin Jian pointed out that China has lodged solemn representations on the "illegal and inappropriate actions" of the Japanese ship, and Japan has also explained that it was a "technical error." China requires Japan to conduct a thorough investigation of the matter and promise that similar incidents will not happen again.

Reuters pointed out that Chinese coast guard ships and warships have also sailed into Japanese territorial waters, including in June last year, when a Chinese naval vessel sailed into Japanese territorial waters near Yakushima Island, and Japan protested to China at the time. In December last year, the Chinese military also claimed that a US Navy ship "illegally" sailed into the waters near a disputed island in the South China Sea.