Attacks on Japanese in Beijing increase as September 18 approaches
Chinese and Japanese ships exchanged warnings on Friday near the disputed Diaoyu or Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, after China dispatched six ships to carry out patrols near the islands amid rising tensions.
Two fleets of maritime surveillance vessels carried out patrols in territorial waters off the disputed islands on Friday, in an exercise officials said was aimed at “demonstrating China’s jurisdiction… and ensuring the country’s maritime interests”.
The move followed an announcement by Tokyo that it had purchased the islands from a family that it recognises as the owner.
The islands are, however, also claimed by China. The announcement has triggered an angry response from China in recent days.
While State media outlets published a string of commentaries hitting out at Japan, the anger has also spread to the streets of some Chinese cities.