China Defends Right of Passage Through Tokara Strait Amid Japan Protest

China asserted its vessels' legitimate right to transit the Tokara Strait, following a protest from Japan over an alleged incursion by a Chinese naval survey vessel into Japanese waters.

China has reiterated its stance that its vessels have the legitimate right to transit the Tokara Strait, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson during Monday's regular press briefing.

This declaration comes in response to a formal protest from Japan, which claimed that a Chinese naval survey vessel had entered Japanese waters on Saturday.

The incident has added tension to the already complex maritime relations between the two nations.

(With inputs from agencies.)