MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty ImagesU.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday, and reaffirmed the security alliance that commits the United States to defending Japan’s territory. Although the only structure on the islands is an unmanned lighthouse, the Japanese Coast Guard patrols the waters around the islands and frequently encounters Chinese vessels seeking to challenge Japan’s claim to the islands. Japanese Coast Guard vessels sail alongside Japanese activists' fishing boat, not in photo, warning ... [+] the activists away from a group of disputed islands called Diaoyu by China and Senkaku by Japan on Aug. 18, 2013. Last week, China passed legislation that authorizes its coast guard ships to fire on foreign ships deemed to be a threat to its sovereignty. The Chinese coast guard often comes into close contact with foreign vessels as they assert their claims in the South and East China seas.

Source: Forbes January 28, 2021 10:07 UTC