Press Releases
Protest by Foreign Minister Kishida to Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Japan, concerning the situation around the Senkaku Islands
On Tuesday, August 9, commencing at 10:10 am for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, summoned Mr. Cheng Yonghua, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Japan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and issued a protest concerning the situation around the Senkaku Islands. The overview is as follows.
1. Foreign Minister Kishida stated the following.
(1) Since August 5, and despite Japan’s repeated strong protests, the dispatch by China of multiple government vessels and their repeated intrusion into Japan’s territorial waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands is a violation of Japan’s sovereignty, and that China is conducting unilateral activities that further raise tensions on the ground cannot be accepted whatsoever. I reiterate Japan’s strong protest.
(2) Following on from the series of activities by the Chinese military in the waters and airspace of the East China Sea in June, China is attempting to unilaterally change the status quo. It must be said that these activities are having a significant adverse impact on the status of Japan-China relations.
(3) The only way to settle this situation is for China to remove its vessels without delay and improve the situation on the ground in a clear and tangible manner. I strongly demand an appropriate response from China.
2. Ambassador Cheng responded by reiterating China’s existing unique position.