Diaoyu Island News

China and Japan have held held their first round of high-level consultations on maritime affairs in Hangzhou, the capital city of east China's Zhejiang province. Officials from the two countries' foreign and defense ministries, as well as their maritime affairs departments and other related departments, attended the one-day meeting, according to a press release issued by China's Foreign Ministry. The two sides exchanged views on various issues concerning bilateral maritime relations and maritime cooperation, said the press release. It said the two countries agreed to use the mechanism as a platform for enhancing communication on maritime issues…

A Chinese marine patrol has recently finished its third mission to crack down on illegal exploration of oil and gas in the South China Sea. China will further intensify regular patrols of its sea territory to protect the country's maritime interests and rights according to a senior maritime official. "The patrols are part of our long-term, important responsibility," said Wu Ping, deputy head of China Marine Surveillance (CMS), a government agency in charge of maritime law enforcement.