TOKYO, January 11. /TASS/. Four Chinese maritime police patrol ships have entered the area near the disputed Senkaku (Diaoyudao) Islands in the East China Sea, which Japan considers its territorial waters, the Kyodo news agency reported.

According to its information, one of the vessels is equipped with what looks like an automatic cannon. The previous time the Chinese ships entered the zone near the Senkaku Islands on December 18, 2023, the news agency pointed out.

The dispute over the Senkaku Islands escalated after Tokyo announced in September 2012 that it had purchased the islands from private owners who are Japanese citizens. This was followed by mass protests in China, accompanied by the destruction of Japanese restaurants and shops. Since then, Chinese ships have been constantly sailing near the disputed archipelago and making visits to its coastal areas.