Renewed tensions flared in the East China Sea this week following a maritime confrontation near the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands, as China’s Coast Guard (CCG) reported engaging a Japanese fishing vessel allegedly operating illegally in what Beijing claims are its territorial waters. The incident, occurring on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, near the uninhabited yet strategically critical islets, underscores the persistent conflict over sovereignty and maritime rights between China and Japan, prompting each nation to reiterate long-standing, contradictory claims over the resource-rich area.
Conflicting Narratives Fuel Regional Instability
According to a CCG spokesperson, Liu Dejun, Chinese patrol ships responded to the presence of a Japanese fishing boat operating within the waters of “China’s Diaoyu Dao.” The spokesperson stated that the Chinese vessels issued warnings and implemented “necessary law-enforcement measures,” calling on Tokyo to cease what Beijing terms continuous infringements and provocative actions in the vicinity. China robustly maintains that the islands and surrounding seas are an inalienable component of Chinese territory, citing consistent historical and legal precedent.
However, Tokyo presented a sharply different account. The Japanese Coast Guard reported mobilizing assets to protect the trawler and subsequently ordered two Chinese vessels to evacuate the area, which Japan refers to as the Senkaku Islands. Japan currently exercises administrative control over the islands, a status Beijing adamantly rejects as illegitimate and unilateral.
Sovereignty Dispute Complicates Regional Dynamics
This recent maritime encounter occurs against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical friction. The incident surfaced shortly after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks in the Japanese parliament suggesting that Japan might consider military responses should China take aggressive action against Taiwan. Beijing views Taiwan as an indispensable part of China and reserves the right to employ “all necessary means” for reunification, although it favors a peaceful resolution. The proximity of Taiwan, located approximately 160 kilometers southwest of the disputed islands, adds a significant layer to the region’s complex strategic dynamic.
Despite an initial 2008 agreement in principle to pursue joint resource development in the East China Sea, cooperation has stalled. In recent years, China has visibly increased its “rights-protection” patrols to assert jurisdiction and safeguard its maritime interests. Government data confirms a regular and sustained presence of Chinese government vessels near the Diaoyu Islands, demonstrating Beijing’s unwavering resolve. The CCG last reported similar operations around the waters on November 16, characterizing them as routine patrols aimed at upholding national rights and interests.
Call for Dialogue Amid Escalation Risks
The enduring dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands poses a constant risk of miscalculation, demanding careful crisis management strategies from both nations. The two major Asian economies share significant trade ties, making the maintenance of maritime stability crucial for regional economic prosperity.
In response to the latest incident, China has urged Japan to return to dialogue and practical cooperation, emphasizing the need to honor prior understandings to prevent escalation. Beijing advocates for structured frameworks in the East China Sea that address crisis management and resource sharing while strictly respecting China’s claimed sovereignty. Ultimately, both nations are compelled to seek diplomatic solutions to ensure the stability of one of the world’s most critical maritime choke points.