Japan Says China Drilling in Disputed Waters

[Ryan Ruck]

Japan Says China Drilling in Disputed Waters

A territorial row between Japan and China has escalated, with the Japanese government accusing the Chinese of starting to extract energy in disputed waters between the two countries.

Japanese Trade Minister Shoichi Nakagawa says China had begun producing either oil or natural gas at the Tianwaitian oil and gas field in the East China Sea.

Mr. Nakagawa says smoke has been seen wafting from a chimney on a Chinese drilling facility.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Akira Chiba told reporters that "usually, where there is smoke, there is a fire." He said Tokyo is concerned the Chinese might be extracting resources from the Japanese side through an undersea pipeline, and that has prompted the Japanese to file a protest with Beijing.

"We have told the China side our regrets that this is being done, because we have asked the Chinese side time and again to, number one, provide us with information about their findings in the area, (and) number two, to stop exploitation," he said.

Japan claims the activity straddles a median line that separates the two countries' 200 nautical mile exclusivity zones. China does not recognize the boundary, and says its exclusive economic zone includes waters farther east, nearly as far as the Okinawan islands, which part of Southern Japan.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in Beijing on Tuesday said China has repeatedly made its stance on the issue clear; namely, that the gas field exploration is taking place in areas that are indisputably Chinese coastal waters.

Both China and Japan expressed a desire to resolve the dispute through dialogue.

Both nations rely heavily on imports of energy, and are attempting to secure new sources of oil and natural gas.

Japan two months ago granted test drilling rights to a domestic entity to look for gas in the same disputed waters, after decades of refusing to issue such licenses. That prompted a protest from China.

Earlier this month, Japan said its patrol planes had spotted five Chinese warships near another Chinese exploration installation around the disputed waters.

[Ryan Ruck]

China Sends Warships To Disputed East China Sea

China said Thursday it has sent warships to the disputed East China Sea, a day ahead of talks with Japan over competing territorial claims in the gas-rich waters.

"I can now confirm that in the East China Sea, a Chinese reserve vessel squadron has been established," foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular briefing.

"The establishment of this vessel squadron is aimed at handling emergency situations like rapid mobilization and assistance at sea during peacetime, while also raising the ability of the navy."

He refused to give further details.

It was unclear whether the dispatch of the squadron is targeted at Japan.

The state-run Xinhua news agency said earlier this week that the squadron would be ready for combat if necessary.

The naval unit will meet the demands of "being able to handle emergencies during peacetime, and being able to fight during wars," Xinhua said.

The unit will also be equipped to "eliminate obstacles at sea," it said.

No details were given on the size of the squadron or the area it will patrol.

The establishment of the squadron follows China's creation in May of two naval groups in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea off the northern China coast, the agency said.

Japan said earlier this month that China has started production from a potentially lucrative gas field in the East China Sea.

It said that although China appeared to be drilling on its side of a dividing line, it could extract underground gas that was on the Japanese side of the line.

China, which does not recognize the maritime line, said its exploration was in undisputed waters.

The two sides will hold consultations in Tokyo on Friday on the dispute. Previous high-level meetings have led to no agreement other than to continue dialogue.

Qin repeated China's position Thursday.

"China's gas field exploration is being conducted in undisputed waters near China. We are willing to continue to hold dialogue with the Japanese side to properly resolve relevant issues so as to maintain stability in the East China Sea," he said.

Earlier in September, Japan said it spotted Chinese warships at the disputed fields for the first time in what Beijing called a routine exercise.