Japan PM orders more surveillance on disputed islands
Chinese paramilitary guards watch as China National Offshore Oil Corp, May 21, 2012.
Japan summoned China's ambassador to protest an "incursion" of Chinese surveillance ships near disputed islands on Tuesday, and Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered, according to Reuters, more surveillance around those same islands.
"I want you to respond firmly," Kyodo news agency quoted Abe telling Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera.
Both states claim the cluster islands in the South China Sea, known as Diaoyu to the Chinese, and Senkaku to the Japanese. Taiwan also claims the islands.
More From GlobalPost: Why all the fuss in the South China Sea?
China responded with a statement.
"Japan has continued to ignore our warnings that their vessels and aircraft have infringed our sovereignty," said Sun Shuxian, Communist Party chief of China's marine surveillance corps, adding, "This behavior may result in the further escalation of the situation at sea and has prompted China to pay great attention and vigilance."
The International Business Times points out Japan's maneuvers come during a military strategy review, which may result in an increased military budget – the first in a decade.
Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.
Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.