The PRC’s State Oceanic Administration confirms reports that monitoring ships were dispatched to the area in the East China Sea around the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.

The Japanese Coast Guard has attempted to contact the ships but has received no response.

Xinhua has also confirmed the report from the Japanese Coast Guard that monitoring ships from China have entered the area around Kubashima and Uotsurijima. The ships are to enforce China’s ‘administrative jurisdiction’ and Xinhua called the actions a ‘rights defense’ patrol.

Tensions remain high between the two Asian neighbors though an open conflict is not expected. The area around the disputed islands is rich with fish and is also suspected to harbor large natural gas reserves.

[Al Jazeera]