Beijing: China on Wednesday asked Japan to stop its
unilateral marine research in disputed areas of the East China
Sea.
A Chinese vessel yesterday radioed the Japanese Coast
Guard ship Takuyo and asked it to stop its activities in
disputed areas of the East China Sea, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesman Hong Lei said.
Chinese media quoted Japan's government spokesman Osamu
Fujimura today as saying that the marine research was
conducted in the country's exclusive economic zone. China also
claims sovereignty in the exclusive economic zone.
"China's stance on the East China Sea is clear and
consistent," said Hong.
China has expressed dissatisfaction over Japan's
unilateral marine research in disputed areas of the East China
Sea regardless of China's opposition, he said.
He said China has requested the Japanese side stop
relevant activities and avoid damaging China's right and
interests, in a bid to safeguard the stability of the East
China Sea and the overall relations between the two countries.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, March 01, 2012, 00:01