China, Japan coast guards face off near disputed East China Sea islands

BEIJING/TOKYO — Chinese and Japanese coast guard ships faced off in waters around disputed islands in the East China Sea again on Wednesday, with both countries saying they deployed patrol ships to urge the other side to leave the territory.

The disputed islands, called Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan, are claimed by both countries.

The Chinese coast guard said three Japanese ships and several patrol ships illegally entered its territorial waters on Wednesday and that it took necessary control measures in accordance with the law.

Japan's coast guard said its patrol boats in turn repeatedly urged three Chinese coast guard vessels to leave the waters.

A similar incident occurred on Oct. 17. — Reuters