Chinese coast guard vessels spent a record 85 hours in disputed waters near Japan's Senkaku Islands, pursuing Japanese fishing boats. Four armed Chinese vessels entered these territorial waters between March 21 and 24, with two remaining throughout the duration.
This escalation has heightened tensions between China and Japan, coming shortly after diplomatic talks aimed at fostering cooperation. The disputed islands are strategically important, as the surrounding waters are rich in fish, oil, and natural gas resources.