China Intensifies Presence Near Senkaku Islands, Escalating Tensions in East China Sea

In a significant move that has raised concerns internationally, China has announced plans to extend the presence of its ships near the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands for the entirety of 2024. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that President Xi Jinping, during a rare visit to the command office for the East China Sea area of the China Coast Guard in Shanghai on Nov. 29, emphasized the need to continually strengthen Beijing’s sovereignty claim over the disputed islets, known as Diaoyu in China.

Xi, who also serves as the head of the Central Military Commission, the highest national defense organization, underscored China’s unwavering commitment to its territorial claims, stating, “We can only move forward, not backward. We will never let even 1 millimeter of our territory be taken.” This statement comes amidst a longstanding bilateral dispute between China and Japan over the sovereignty of the Senkaku Islands.

Following Xi’s visit, the China Coast Guard has reportedly drafted a comprehensive plan to maintain a continuous presence of its ships near the Senkaku Islands throughout 2024. The plan includes regular inspections of Japanese fishing boats in the area, further bolstering China’s sovereignty claim over the disputed territory.

Notably, the annual number of days Chinese vessels were spotted near the Senkakus surpassed the previous record, reaching 336 days by December 14, 2022. This escalation comes despite Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressing “serious concerns” about the situation during a summit meeting with Xi Jinping in San Francisco in mid-November.

In response to Xi’s directive, China Coast Guard Director General Yu Zhong convened a meeting at the command office, deciding to dispatch ships continuously to waters near the Senkakus. Additionally, more Chinese navy vessels are set to sail between Yonaguni and Iriomote islands in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture, a move that further adds to the growing tension in the region.

Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost island located 111 kilometers from Taiwan, has become a focal point in this territorial dispute. With a population of around 1,600, Yonaguni finds itself strategically positioned, and China’s decision to allow more navy vessels to sail in this area only heightens concerns.

The longstanding conflict over the Senkaku Islands has been a persistent source of friction between China and Japan. Since Japan brought the islets under state control in September 2012, Chinese coast guard vessels have repeatedly intruded into Japanese waters near the disputed territory, fueling regional instability and raising broader geopolitical concerns.

As China takes an assertive stance in the East China Sea, the international community closely watches the evolving situation, hoping for diplomatic avenues to defuse tensions and avoid potential conflicts that could have far-reaching consequences in the Asia-Pacific region.