Wed February, 2021, Age: 3 years
Japan and China discussed maritime issues during a virtually-held meeting Wednesday. During the meeting, Japan reportedly voiced concern over China’s new law that permits its Coast Guard to resort to military force in waters claimed by China. This would theoretically enable Chinese coast guard vessels to fire on Japanese ships in the waters surrounding the contested Senkaku islands in the East China Sea. The new law allows “China’s Coast Guard to use weapons when foreign ships involved in illegal activities in waters claimed by the nation fail to obey orders. The new legislation also allows it to demolish buildings constructed in those areas by foreign organizations or individuals.” The new law went into effect Monday.