China launches patrols near disputed Diaoyu Islands after removing contentious buoy

Chinese coastguard vessels on Wednesday began patrols of the contested waters off the Diaoyu Islands, a day after Beijing said it had removed a buoy near the islands, known in Japan as the Senkakus.

A coastguard statement said the purpose of the patrols was to protect China’s rights and interests in accordance with the law.

The patrols near the disputed Diaoyus, held frequently by China, were started after China’s foreign ministry confirmed that a buoy deployed since July 2023 close to the archipelago situated northeast of Taiwan had been removed.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday the deployment of a hydrometeorological observation buoy complied with China’s domestic and international laws.

“The buoy in question has completed its operations at its original stations,” Guo said.

The removal of the buoy came amid thawing ties between Beijing and Tokyo following a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Peru in November.