BEIJING -- The administration of Chinese President Xi Jinping is waging a campaign of attrition against Japan by constantly sending Chinese Coast Guard vessels into waters off the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.
The vessels have been navigating in Japan's contiguous zone on a regular basis, and could track Japanese fishing ships in the area.
It appears that Beijing intends to not only trumpet its claims to maritime jurisdiction in the area, but also to exhaust the capacity of the Japan Coast Guard.
China's Coast Guard Law that took effect in February stipulates that Chinese coast guard vessels can use their equipment to stop vessels such as fishing ships.
"If [CCG vessels] deploy small boats to approach Japanese fishing ships, it will be difficult for Japan Coast Guard patrol vessels to stop them," a diplomatic source said.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
