TOKYO — Japan has lodged a protest with China after discovering what it says were efforts by Beijing to develop gas fields in disputed waters of the East China Sea.
Tokyo’s foreign ministry said on Monday night it had confirmed that Beijing was setting up drilling rigs in the area — where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZs) claims overlap — and submitted a complaint to the Chinese embassy.
“It is extremely regrettable that China is advancing unilateral development,” the ministry said, adding that it had taken place on the Chinese side of the de facto maritime border.
Tokyo protests to Beijing over gas field in East China Sea
The ministry accused China of positioning 21 suspected drilling rigs, with Tokyo fearing gas on the Japanese side could also be extracted.
Japan “issued a strong protest” to the Chinese embassy, the ministry said.
It “strongly urged China for an early resumption of talks on the implementation” of a 2008 bilateral agreement regarding the development of resources in the East China Sea, it added., This news data comes from:http://ygkx.xs888999.com
That agreement saw Japan and China agree to jointly develop undersea gas reserves in the disputed area, with a ban on independent drilling by either country.
Tokyo protests to Beijing over gas field in East China Sea
But negotiations over how to implement the deal were suspended in 2010.
Japan has long insisted the median line between the two nations should mark the limits of their respective EEZs.
China, however, insists the border should be drawn closer to Japan, taking into account the continental shelf and other ocean features.
The two countries are embroiled in a separate row over disputed islands elsewhere in the East China Sea.
China claims the string of islands — which Japan refers to as the Senkakus and are known as the Diaoyu by Beijing — as its own, and regularly sends ships and aircraft into the area to test Tokyo’s response times.
China also has disputes with several other nations in the South China Sea, which it claims in its entirety.
- Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800
- LPA may still develop into short-lived tropical cyclone
- Unnamed skeletons? US museum at center of ethical debate
- Discaya says her family owns nine companies
- Thailand acting PM moves to dissolve parliament — party
- Comelec probes 15 contractors for illegal campaign donations
- Israeli protesters demand hostage deal as cabinet meets
- Vico encourages citizens on Heroes’ Day to be brave
- Motive probed for US shooting that killed two children, injured 17
- Open mic caught Xi, Putin discussing immortality
