Japan survey vessels expelled from sea

East China Sea - During routine patrols conducted in the sea since Feb 18, two Chinese surveillance ships expelled a pair of Japanese Coast Guard survey vessels and planes.

The patrols were being carried out in waters near the Chunxiao, Pinghu and Suyan Rock gas fields and the China-Japan joint development zone, which encompasses 2,600 square kilometers of the East China Sea.

On Feb 19, a China Marine Surveillance ship detected the Japanese survey ship called Shoyo cruising at a low speed, as well as a Japanese Coast Guard vessel called Takuyo, in water near the Chunxiao gas field.