Japan expressed concern after a Chinese navy destroyer conducted live-fire exercises near a remote Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, July 19, as part of joint drills with Russia. At the same time, Beijing rejected Japanese reports that a People's Liberation Army Navy vessel conducted live-fire exercises within its exclusive economic zone. They stated that Tokyo's claims to this zone are illegal, reports UNN citing South China Morning Post and Associated Press.
Details
Japan's Ministry of Defense reported that the People's Liberation Army vessel was one of three conducting exercises on Sunday alongside a Russian Navy ship. The statement also noted that at one point, the Chinese vessel conducted live-fire exercises approximately 180 km (112 miles) southwest of Okinotorishima Island and within the exclusive economic zone claimed by Japan — at the time, a Russian frigate was nearby.
Japan's Ministry of Defense also said it contacted China through diplomatic channels. Subsequently, they noted that two Chinese missile destroyers and a Chinese supply ship were detected together with a Russian frigate approximately 330 km southwest of Okinotorishima, moving northeast.
Additional
Okinotorishima is a coral atoll located in the Philippine Sea approximately 1,740 km south of Tokyo. During high tide, it consists of only two tiny rocks protruding above the water.
Under international maritime law, this is insufficient to claim the adjacent waters as part of an exclusive economic zone.
Recall
Japan, the United States, the Philippines, and 11 other countries in a joint statement emphasized that China's territorial claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis.