Chinese boats entered disputed waters between China and Japan on Thursday, as the row over a set of islands claimed by both nations continues to worsen.
Six ships were sent by China to the contested area, with the Chinese foreign ministry stating,
"These law enforcement and patrol activities are aimed to demonstrate China's jurisdiction over the Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islets and ensure the country's maritime interests."
The move was labelled as “unprecedented” by Japan’s ," Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura, with Tokyo summoning the Chinese ambassador to register their protest.
Japanese foreign minister Koichiro Gemba also told reporters,
"We lodged a strong protest and also we made a strong case that the Chinese side should leave from the territorial waters around the Senkaku islands.
"I'd like to underscore that we should never let the situation escalate and we have strong hopes for the Chinese to respond in an appropriate and calm manner."
Meanwhile, anti-Japanese sentiments have continued to rise in China with reports of attacks on Japanese civilians. Last month, saw a wave of protests in China across the country with similar assaults.