Japan said Friday that a Chinese vessel was carrying out a suspected maritime research in Tokyo's exclusive economic zone near the disputed islands in the East China Sea.

A Japanese patrol boat confirmed that the Chinese research ship was sailing on Thursday and Friday by extending a wire into the sea some 150 kilometres (93 miles) northeast of one of the Senkaku islands, a coastguard spokesman said.

"We told them to stop the research activities but they have not reacted to our instruction," the spokesman said, adding that the Japanese patrol boat continued monitoring the Chinese vessel.

The uninhabited islets, known in China as the Diaoyus, are at the centre of a festering row between Tokyo and Beijing.

The Japanese government has long complained about China's routine dispatch of coast guard ships to waters surrounding the islands.

Relations between Japan and China deteriorated in 2012 when Tokyo "nationalised" some of the islets.

Since then, the two top Asian economies have taken gradual steps to mend fences but relations remain tense.

Related Links
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Turkey to sack 3,000 more military over Gulen links
Ankara (AFP) April 18, 2018
Turkish authorities will soon dismiss nearly 3,000 military personnel over links to the movement Ankara blames for the 2016 failed coup, a government minister said on Wednesday. Turkish Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli said officials "discovered a nearly three-thousand strong structure" in the armed forces, state news agency Anadolu reported. "In the coming days they will be dismissed by emergency decree. We have sent (the paperwork) to the prime ministry," Canikli said in parliament. Turke ... read more