Beijing asks foreign military vessels to obtain approval before entering Chinese waters

ISTANBUL

Beijing has urged foreign military vessels to obtain approval from China before entering its territorial waters.

China’s statement on Monday followed a report by Kyodo News that said Chinese vessels fired at least two warning shots at a Japanese military ship after it inadvertently entered Chinese territorial waters in July last year.

“On a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel intruding into China’s territorial waters in July last year, the Chinese side has already stated its position,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news conference in Beijing.

“In accordance with relevant stipulations of Chinese laws, foreign military vessels must obtain approval from the Chinese government before entering China’s territorial waters,” Lin added, according to an official transcript of the event released from the Foreign Ministry website.

He noted that “the Chinese side will handle the matter in accordance with the laws and regulations,” if any foreign ships enter Chinese waters without approval.