China and Japan agreed to more closely cooperate in joint patrols of the East Sea, also known as the East China Sea, according to an article published on the Chinese state-run media website Global Times that cited unnamed sources. The decision was made during a recent meeting in Japan between the Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers, sources said, adding that the patrols could begin as soon as next month. This news comes as tensions in the region have been escalating over the past year, with both countries making competing claims over the disputed islands in the East Sea. Taiwan has also expressed concern over the increased military cooperation between China and Japan, saying it could threaten regional security. The Global Times quoted a source close to the Chinese delegation as saying that the joint patrols will cover a wide area of the East Sea and that each side will contribute ships and aircraft. One of the main goals of the patrols will be to crack down on illegal fishing and other illegal activities in the sea. However, some analysts say that the joint patrols could also be used by China to deter Japan from conducting its own patrols in the disputed areas and to further consolidate its control over the sea. Japan has conducted its own patrols in the East Sea for years, and it has also been involved in joint patrols with other countries, such as Australia and the United States. The joint patrols with China would mark a shift in the relationship between the two countries, which for years have been at odds over the sovereignty of the disputed islands. In response to this news, Taiwan has demanded that all parties respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to the Focus Taiwan news agency, the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “severe concern” over the joint patrols, saying they could “undermine regional peace and stability.” The ministry also called on China and Japan to suspend the patrols and to resolve their disputes through dialogue. However, the Global Times article says that China is not interested in suspending the joint patrols and that it will continue to strengthen its military cooperation with Japan. China has long claimed sovereignty over the East Sea islands, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and the Senkaku Islands in Japan. Japan has also claimed sovereignty over the islands and has been conducting patrols in the area for years. These competing claims have led to tensions and occasional confrontations between the two countries. The United States has also been involved in the dispute, with then-President Obama calling on both sides to “manage their differences peacefully” in 2014. The joint patrols between China and Japan are likely to further complicate the situation in the East Sea and could lead to increased tensions between the two countries. Taiwan, which also has claims to the disputed islands, is also likely to be concerned about the joint patrols and their implications for regional security..
China, Japan cooperate in joint East Sea patrol; Taiwan demands respect for its sovereignty
