Beijing rejects Tokyo's protest over survey ship activities in Japan's EEZ
China has rejected Japan's protest over a Chinese vessel's activities in Japan's exclusive economic zone near its southernmost island.
The Japan Coast Guard says it detected a Chinese maritime research ship conducting activities near Okinotorishima in the Pacific on Monday without prior consent from Tokyo.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said Tuesday that the government lodged a protest with the Chinese side. He said maritime scientific surveys without Japan's consent are not allowed and should be stopped immediately.
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters on Tuesday that Okinotorishima is a reef, not an island. She added that an EEZ or a continental shelf cannot be established around it.
She reiterated China's previous argument, saying that Japan's claim violates international law.
The spokesperson also maintained that China's activities are an exercise of freedom of the high seas, and Japan has no right to interfere.
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