(Vatican Radio) Several Chinese ships briefly entered waters near disputed islands
today, drawing a protest from Japan and a call by its foreign minister for no further
escalation in the standoff. Six Chinese maritime surveillance ships came within 12
miles of the Senkaku Islands, within Japanese territorial waters, Tokyo says.
Japan's
coast guard ordered the boats to leave, they ignored it, one replying by radio they
were in Chinese waters.
Japan's foreign minister lodged a protest, but called
on Beijing not to escalate tensions further: already retribution has spread into ordinary
life, Japan's consulate in Shanghai says at least four Japanese citizens are injured
after attacks, and reports in Japan say China has cancelled some official exchange
groups, and there's speculation private businesses may be targeted too.
Both
Beijing and Tokyo are politically fragile right now: an election is due here in Japan,
and China's Communist Party has an expected leadership shake-up this autumn.
But
many observers warn the tiny uninhabited Senkaku islands could remain a flashpoint
for some time, while nationalism continues to run high and speculation remains that
the area may have rich subsea energy resources.
Alastair Wanklyn is following
the story from Tokyo. Listen: