China–Japan rift widens as Beijing sends coast guard patrol into disputed Senkaku waters

A China Coast Guard ship formation sailed through the waters around the Senkaku Islands on Sunday (November 16,  2025) during a “rights enforcement patrol,” the agency said, as Beijing escalates tensions with Japan following remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan.

The uninhabited islands in the East China Sea are claimed by both countries, and sightings of Chinese vessels have become more frequent.

Earlier on Sunday, the China Coast Guard said its formation conducted a “rights enforcement patrol” around the Senkaku Islands, which China calls the Diaoyu. “China coast guard vessel 1307 formation conducted patrols within the territorial waters of the Diaoyu islands. This was a lawful patrol operation conducted by the China coast guard to uphold its rights and interests,” the statement said.

Spat deepens after Takaichi’s Taiwan remarks

The diplomatic dispute has intensified since Takaichi told parliament on November 7 that a potential Chinese attack on democratically ruled Taiwan could prompt a military response from Tokyo. Beijing reacted sharply and has signalled it expects a retraction from Takaichi.

China issues warning for students in Japan

China has also warned students planning to study in Japan about heightened risks for Chinese nationals, as tensions escalate following Takaichi’s comments on Taiwan. State broadcaster CCTV said Sunday that the Education Ministry urged Chinese students already in Japan, and those preparing to go, to closely track the local security situation.

In a further step, China on Sunday advised citizens to “carefully reconsider” studying in Japan, citing what it described as an unstable security environment. The guidance is not a ban, but a steep decline in enrolment could hurt Japanese universities, which hosted more than 123,000 Chinese students last year.

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Regional ripple effects around Taiwan

China claims Taiwan as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force. Taiwan rejects Chinese rule and has vowed to defend itself if necessary. Any conflict could draw in major regional players, including Japan and the US.

Taiwan’s defence ministry said it detected 30 Chinese military aircraft, seven navy ships and one ‘official’ vessel operating around the island over the past 24 hours, with up to three drones flying between Taiwan and Japan’s outlying islands, including near Yonaguni.

Tokyo faces growing pressure

Japan has come under increasing diplomatic pressure since Takaichi’s remarks. China’s consul general in Osaka triggered a formal protest from Tokyo after saying “the dirty head that sticks itself out must be cut off.” Beijing then summoned Japan’s ambassador for the first time in over two years, and its defence ministry warned that any Japanese intervention would be doomed to fail.

China also advised its citizens Friday to avoid travelling to Japan, prompting Tokyo to urge Beijing to take “appropriate measures.” Several Chinese airlines later offered free refunds or flight changes.

State media ramps up criticism

Late Saturday, Chinese state media accused Takaichi of staging a political stunt that was “not just dangerously provocative but fundamentally perverse,” warning that any China–Japan conflict would likely draw in the US and could “quickly spiral into a large-scale conflict with unimaginable consequences.”

Taiwan’s stance remains firm

Taiwan’s government maintains that only its people can determine the island’s future. While Japan has long avoided referencing Taiwan directly in security debates, China insists reunification is “inevitable” and labels any resistance as escalatory.