Tokyo Protests to Beijing over Drillship in East China Sea

June 29, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese government has protested China's deployment of a drillship apparently for gas development in the East China Sea, Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Friday.

"It is extremely regrettable that China is continuing activities for unilateral development," Kono told a news conference.

The Kantan 4 vessel, believed to be a semisubmersible capable of deep-sea drilling, was fixed at a point near the so-called geographical equidistance line between Japan and China in the East China Sea, informed sources said.

"These activities, conducted before a sea border is drawn, do no good to the two countries' friendship," Kono said. "We've lodged a strong protest."

In June 2008, Japan and China agreed to start joint gas development in the East China Sea. But talks on details have stopped, while China continues development activities.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference that Tokyo will continue to request Beijing to accept an early resumption of the talks and implement the agreement. Jiji Press