Chinese trawler collides with two separate Japanese vessels in disputed region

The collision took place near an uninhabited island chain, often the location of disputes and regional tensions. The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China lie between Japan’s Okinawa Island and Taiwan.

They are claimed by Tokyo, Beijing and Taipei.

China expressed its “great concern” over the two collisions, while Japan called on a diplomat to protest the incident. Nobody was reported to having been injured and no vessel was sunken or damaged.

The incident this morning occurred when Japan’s patrol boat the Yonakuni, weighing 1,349 tonnes, told the Chinese trawler to stop fishing in the disputed waters. Following the claim, the bow of the Chinese trawler hit the stern of the Yonakuni, and then collided with another Japanese patrol boat some time later, the Mizuki.

The Chinese vessel was then invaded by 22 Japanese personnel for questioning,on suspicion of violating the fisheries law.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu later told a regular news briefing that "China expresses great concern over this incident". Beijing had made "solemn representations" to Tokyo stressing that the islands have been part of Chinese territory since ancient times, she said.

Japan’s foreign ministry said "We stated that the incident resulted from illegal fishing on China's part," adding "We asked the Chinese government help prevent a recurrence of the incident and give thorough instructions to Chinese fishing boats."