This handout picture taken by the Japan Coast Guard on January 19, 2013 shows a Chinese Marine Surveillance ship cruising inside waters around the disputed islands known as the Senkaku islands in Japan and the Diaoyu islands in China, in the East China Sea. AFP / JAPAN COAST GUARD FILE PHOTO
WASHINGTON 鈥� US Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced concern Wednesday over China鈥檚 incursions into Japanese territorial waters, recommitting to the ally鈥檚 defense.
In a telephone call, Blinken and Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi 鈥渆xpressed concern over increased Chinese assertiveness around the Senkaku Islands following China鈥檚 enactment of a new coast guard law,鈥� State Department spokesman Ned Price said.
鈥淪ecretary Blinken reaffirmed that the Senkakus fall within the scope of Article V of the US-Japan Security Treaty,鈥� he said, referring to the section that commits the two nations to defend each other if either is attacked.
Tokyo has voiced alarm over increased Chinese incursions after Beijing enacted legislation allowing its coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships seen as illegally entering its waters.
Japan administers the rocky islets in the East China Sea that are also claimed by Beijing, which calls them the Diaoyu, as well as Taiwan.
Blinken鈥檚 call comes as President Joe Biden promises to keep his predecessor Donald Trump鈥檚 tough line on a rising China while also paying closer attention to allies.
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton first said the Senkakus fell under Article V, although Trump went a step further by warning against attempts to contest Japan鈥檚 control over the islands.
The State Department said Blinken and Motegi also discussed last week鈥檚 military coup in Myanmar, also known as Burma, where Biden is rolling out punishment for the generals if they do not return power to elected leaders.