10 Navy Ships from China and Russia Jointly sail through Japan Strait

On Monday, it was seen that a group of 10 naval vessels from China and Russia sailed through a strait separating the Japan's main island and its northern island of Hokkaido, the Japanese government said, adding that it is closely watching such activities.

According to the Reuters, it was the first time Japan has confirmed the passage of Chinese and Russian naval vessels sailing together through the Tsugaru Strait, which separates the Sea of Japan from the Pacific.

While the strait is actually regarded as international waters, Japan's ties with China have long been troubled by conflicting claims over a group of tiny East China Sea islets. And Tokyo has a territorial dispute with Moscow, as well.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki told a regular news conference on Tuesday that, "The government is closely watching Chinese and Russian naval vessels' activities around Japan like this one with high interest.”

"We will continue to do our utmost in our surveillance activity in waters and airspace around Japan."

A Japanese Defense Ministry spokesperson said there had been no violation of Japanese territorial waters and no international rules were broken by the passage of the china and Russian vessels.

©Photo: Reuters