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Japan Protests Chinese Destroyer’s Live-Fire Drill Near Okinotori

Tokyo lodged a formal protest after the July 19 exercise, framing it as evidence of deeper China–Russia naval coordination, a safety risk, a cause for legal dispute over Okinotori.

A Chinese Luyang III class warship sails near the U.S. destroyer USS Chung-Hoon, as seen from the deck of U.S. destroyer, in the Taiwan Strait, June 3, 2023, in this handout picture. U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andre T. Richard/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo
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Overview

  • Japan’s Joint Staff said a Chinese Luyang III–class destroyer conducted small-caliber live-fire training about 180 km southwest of Okinotori on July 19 while sailing with two Chinese warships and a Russian frigate.
  • Tokyo lodged a diplomatic protest, sent JMSDF assets to shadow the flotilla and said the warning broadcasts from the Chinese ship did not remove the drill’s risk to nearby navigation.
  • Beijing rejected Japan’s claim that the waters are part of its exclusive economic zone, called Okinotori a reef not an island, and defended the exercise as lawful activity on the high seas.
  • Under the U.N. law of the sea, coastal states control resources in a 200-nautical-mile EEZ but do not automatically bar foreign military operations, and the legal status of Okinotori is disputed between Japan and its neighbors.
  • Japanese officials said the episode shows deeper China–Russia military coordination and has prompted stepped-up Japanese surveillance of southwest waters, raising the chance of more diplomatic protests and near‑sea monitoring in coming weeks.