Three Chinese naval ships enter the waters of the disputed islands in the East China Sea, following a statement by the US secretary of state reiterating US neutrality over the dispute but support for Japan's administration of the islands.

Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Three Chinese maritime surveillance boats entered the waters around the Senkaku-Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, which are controlled by Japan but claimed by China. The latest move, which came around 7 am local time according to Japan's coastguard, follow Beijing's criticism of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who reiterated US support for Japan's administration of the islands last Friday.

China said it was "strongly dissatisfied" by Clinton's statement concerning the disputed islands.

Her comments last week "are ignorant of facts," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang was quoted as saying in Xinhua. "We urge the US side to treat the issue of the Diaoyu islands with a responsible attitude," he had also said.

The United States cannot be "held hostage" by Japan in the conflict, a commentary in China's People's Daily newspaper said today.

The paper was referring to a statement Clinton had made during a press conference with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida.

"We acknowledge they [the islands] are under the administration of Japan and we oppose any unilateral actions that would seek to undermine Japanese administration and we urge all parties to take steps to prevent incidents and manage disagreements through peaceful means," Clinton said, reiterating official US government policy.

China responded by sending ships to the disputed area.

Both China and Japan continue to keep their air forces on the ready since both appear determined not to give up their claims.

 

• china
• japan
• senkaku
• diayou
• territorial
• dispute