China–Japan rift widens as Beijing sends coast guard patrol into disputed Senkaku waters – Firstpost

A formation of China coast guard ships passed through the waters around the Senkaku Islands during a “rights enforcement patrol” on Sunday (November 16, 2025), the agency said, as Beijing escalated tensions with Japan following Prime Minister Sanae Takachi’s comments on Taiwan.

Uninhabited islands in the East China Sea are claimed by both countries, and sightings of Chinese ships have become common.

Earlier on Sunday, the China Coast Guard said its formation conducted “rights enforcement patrols” around the Senkaku Islands, which China calls Diaoyu. “The China Coast Guard Vessel 1307 Formation patrolled the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands. This was a legitimate patrol operation carried out by the China Coast Guard to maintain its rights and interests,” the statement said.

The diplomatic row has intensified since Takachi told parliament on Nov. 7 that a possible Chinese attack on democratically ruled Taiwan could prompt a military response from Tokyo. Beijing reacted sharply and indicated it expected Takaichi to back down.

China issues warning to students in Japan

China has also warned students planning to study in Japan about increased risks to Chinese citizens, as tensions rise following Takachi’s comments on Taiwan. The Education Ministry has already urged Chinese students in Japan and those preparing to leave to closely monitor the local security situation, state broadcaster CCTV said on Sunday.

In another move, China on Sunday advised citizens to “carefully reconsider” studying in Japan, citing the unstable security environment. The guidance is not a ban, but a sharp drop in enrollment could hurt Japanese universities, which hosted more than 123,000 Chinese students last year.

Regional ripple effect around Taiwan

China claims Taiwan as its own and has not ruled out the use of force. Taiwan rejects Chinese rule and has vowed to defend itself if necessary. Any conflict could attract major regional players, including Japan and the US.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it had detected 30 Chinese military aircraft, seven navy ships and one ‘official’ ship around the island in the past 24 hours, with three drones flying between Taiwan and Japan’s outlying islands, including Yonaguni.

Tokyo is facing increasing pressure

Diplomatic pressure on Japan has increased since Takaichi’s comments. China’s Consul General in Osaka launched a formal protest from Tokyo after saying that “any dirty head that sticks itself out should be cut off.” Beijing then summoned Japan’s ambassador for the first time in two years and its Defense Ministry warned that any Japanese intervention would fail.

China also advised its citizens on Friday to avoid traveling to Japan, after which Tokyo urged Beijing to take “appropriate measures”. Many Chinese airlines later offered free refunds or flight changes.

Late Saturday, Chinese state media accused Takachi of pulling a political stunt that was “not only dangerously provocative but fundamentally distorted,” warning that any China-Japan conflict would likely draw the US in and “could rapidly escalate into a large-scale conflict with unimaginable consequences.”

Taiwan’s stance remains tough

Taiwan’s government says only its people can determine the island’s future. While Japan has long avoided directly mentioning Taiwan in security debates, China insists that reunification is “inevitable” and views any resistance as escalating.