Beijing warns Japan after move to rename area of Senkaku Islands
June 22 (UPI) -- China condemned a Japanese decision to rename an area that included the disputed Senkaku or Diaoyutai Islands, calling the move a "serious provocation."
Beijing foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Monday at a regular press briefing the "renaming attempt" by Japan's Ishigaki city assembly is an illegal act that has no validity.
On Monday, the city assembly in Okinawa had passed a bill to rename an administrative area that includes the territory in the East China Sea, Kyodo News reported. Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama had submitted the bill after Japanese boats were reportedly chased by Chinese patrol boats in Japan-claimed waters, according to the report.
The city agreed to change the administrative area's name from Tonoshiro to Tonoshiro Senkaku. The islands are claimed by Beijing and Taipei.
Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/06/22/Beijing-warns-Japan-after-move-to-rename-area-of-Senkaku-Islands/8291592837988/
