Naval exercises held near disputed Diaoyu islands
Friday 19 October 2012
Printable
EmailChina held naval exercises in the East China Sea today, flexing its muscles in its dispute with Japan over a chain of uninhabited islands.
Both countries have displayed their naval prowess during a bitter dispute over the islands, called Diaoyu in Chinese and Senkaku in Japanese.
Tokyo angered Beijing last month by nationalising some of the islands, sparking protests in China.
Taiwan also claims the islands, which have rich fishing grounds and undersea energy deposits.
An official statement said that the drills focused on patrol tactics and responses to emergencies that threaten China's territory.
It said trawlers and patrol boats had recently been stalked and harassed by foreign ships.
Japan has a joint exercised with the US planned for later this year, reportedly with the scenario of retaking a remote island.
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