Chinese Coast Guard Fleet Patrols ‘China’s Diaoyu Dao’ Islands

The China Coast Guard (CCG) has intensified its presence in the East China Sea, patrolling the territorial waters of the disputed Diaoyu Dao, known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan.

“A China Coast Guard (CCG) fleet on Wednesday patrolled the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Dao. The patrol was aimed at protecting China's interests in accordance with the law,” the CCG said in an official statement.

The Senkaku Islands, a group of uninhabited islets, have been a long-standing point of contention between Japan and China. Located 205 miles (330 km) from China's eastern coast and over 1,200 miles (1,900 km) southwest of Tokyo, the islands have been claimed by both nations for centuries. The dispute escalated in 2012 when Japan purchased some of the islands from a private owner, a move that Beijing saw as a direct challenge to its sovereignty claims.

Tensions have remained high, with both nations regularly sending vessels into the contested waters. According to the Japan Coast Guard (JCG), Chinese government vessels entered the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands on 355 out of 366 days in 2024, setting a new record for the third consecutive year. The total number of Chinese government ships operating in the zone also reached a record high, with 1,351 vessels involved in patrols throughout the year.

The CCG has been increasing the scale and capabilities of its fleet, with vessels operating year-round in a bid to assert Chinese control over the area. In December 2023, Chinese vessels maintained an uninterrupted presence in the contiguous zone for 215 consecutive days, surpassing previous records. These vessels are now larger and more capable, allowing them to operate in all weather conditions, including during typhoons, signaling China's commitment to establishing a permanent presence in the area.

On 42 occasions last year, Chinese ships entered Japanese territorial waters, within 12 nautical miles of the islands. These incursions are part of broader efforts by China to reinforce its territorial claims over the Senkaku Islands, which are administered by Japan but claimed by China as part of its historical heritage.

China has also taken additional steps to assert its presence in the region. In 2024, Chinese authorities installed an oceanographic buoy in the waters near the Senkaku Islands, sparking objections from Japan. Japan claimed that the buoy was placed within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) without prior explanation, leading to diplomatic protests. China, however, defended its actions, with the Chinese foreign ministry reiterating that the Diaoyu Dao islands, as well as their surrounding waters, are an inseparable part of Chinese territory.

The territorial waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands cover an area of 4,740 square kilometers, approximately six times the size of New York City. To patrol this vast expanse, Japan has stationed a significant fleet in the region, including 10 patrol vessels based on Ishigaki Island. In contrast, the CCG has reportedly rapidly expanded its fleet and now operates 159 vessels with a full-load displacement of 1,000 tons or more, more than double the number of comparable vessels in the Japanese fleet.