Chinese navy patrols Diaoyu Islands on treaty anniversary
A Chinese naval fleet patrolled the waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands on Wednesday, the anniversary of the signing of an unequal treaty between China and Japan in 1895, Xinhua reported.
Composed of two warships, the Lanzhou missile destroyer and the Hengshui missile frigate, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy fleet crossed the Mayako Strait on Tuesday night and arrived at the waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands early Wednesday morning.
The fleet finished a series of attack and defense drills in the west Pacific area after it sailed out from port.
Tensions were raised between the two neighboring countries over the islands after Japan's so-called "nationalization" of Diaoyu Island and part of its affiliated islets last year, as well as Japanese politicians' aggressive remarks over Japan-China ties.
In its latest national defense white paper published on Tuesday, China accused Japan of "making trouble over the issue of the Diaoyu Islands."
