Beijing Deems Lawful Its Pursuit Of Japanese Coast Guard Vessel

The Chinese government says that a marine survey vessel was acting lawfully when it chased a Japanese coast guard vessel conducting seafloor research, reports the Kyodo News Agency.

The incident took place earlier this week in a region claimed by Tokyo as within the Japanese side of the median line in the East China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry officials called the pursuit appropriate and legitimate. Beijing does not recognize the median line claimed by Japan.

The coast...