BEIJING, Nov 16 - A formation of China Coast Guard ships passed through the waters around the Senkaku Islands on Sunday as part of a "rights enforcement patrol," according to a statement from the China Coast Guard. This action comes as tensions rise between Beijing and Tokyo following comments made by Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan.
The diplomatic clash has escalated since Takaichi told parliament on November 7 that a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could lead to a military response from Japan.
Beijing reacted angrily to these comments, indicating that Takaichi should retract her statements.
China views Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out the possibility of using force to assert control over it. Taiwan, located just 110 km (68.35 miles) from Japan, rejects China's claim of sovereignty.
The China Coast Guard statement mentioned, "The vessel 1307 formation conducted patrols within the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands. This was a lawful operation aimed at upholding our rights and interests."
China and Japan frequently have confrontations around the islands, known as Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan.
The Japanese Embassy in Beijing has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the situation.
Since Takaichi's comments, Japan has experienced increasing pressure from China. The Consul General in Osaka remarked, "The dirty head that sticks itself out must be cut off," which led to a formal protest from Tokyo.
Beijing summoned the Japanese ambassador for the first time in over two years, and China's defense ministry warned that any Japanese intervention would be futile.
On Friday, China advised its citizens against traveling to Japan, which prompted Tokyo to request "appropriate measures" from Beijing, although further details were not provided.
On Saturday, three Chinese airlines announced that customers could change or refund tickets to Japan without penalty.
Meanwhile, Taiwan's defense ministry reported early Sunday that it detected 30 Chinese military aircraft and seven navy ships near the island over the previous 24 hours.
Late Saturday, the ministry stated that China was conducting another "joint combat patrol" to "harass our airspace and waters." Taiwan deployed its own aircraft and ships to monitor the situation. Taiwan regularly reports these types of Chinese patrols as part of what it describes as ongoing military pressure.
The government in Taiwan asserts that only its people have the right to determine their future.
Japanese leaders have typically maintained a position of "strategic ambiguity" regarding Taiwan, avoiding direct references to the island in such discussions, a stance also supported by the United States, Japan's main security ally.