China cries 'maritime boundaries not delimited' after firing missiles in Japan's waters

Amid heightened tensions over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, China on August 4 fired five ballistic missiles during military drills near Taiwan that landed inside Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone. However, Beijing has defended move saying that China and Japan have no delimited boundaries. 

"China and Japan have not delimited boundaries in related maritime areas, so it is not case that area of China's military operation is inside or has entered Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ)," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Thursday, reported Chinese mouthpiece Global Times.

Japan, which is a crucial US ally and that has played a key role to counter China's rise in East Asia, has also launched a diplomatic protest against Beijing.

Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said it is first time that a missile belonging to Chinese military h landed within Japan's waters. "This is a grave issue that concerns our country's national security and safety of people," Kishi was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. 

China fires missiles near Taiwan after Pelosi's visit

China on Thursday performed long-range live fire strikes near Taiwan as part of military drills in region to ir highest level in deces.

long-range rocket artillery were launched in Taiwan Strait and missiles were launched in waters to east of Taiwan.

Taiwan condemned China's "irrational behaviour" that intends to disrupt regional peace and stability in region and change status quo. 

" three service branches will combine efforts with all people to jointly safeguard national security and territorial integrity" while apting to situation as it develops, Taiwan's Defence Ministry said.

military drills came after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which Beijing claims its own terrorist.

Image: AP