A Japanese maritime self-defense force destroyer entered Chinese territorial waters recently in spite of warnings by Chinese vessels, Kyodo News reported Thursday.
The Suzutsuki temporarily ventured into waters off China's eastern province of Zhejiang on July 4, according to Kyodo.
Instead, the vessel "sped up and navigated" into the Chinese waters for about 20 minutes before leaving.
Japan is holding the position that the destroyer's entry into Chinese waters was not illegal, Kyodo News reported.
China often sends its coast guard and military vessels into Japanese territorial waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
Organizations:
Self, Defense Force, Kyodo, China's, Safety Administration, United Nations Convention
Locations:
Japan, Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Indonesia, Zhejiang, East, Beijing, China