China Coast Guard Sets New Record for Presence Near Senkaku Islands in 2025

Record Presence Marks Escalation in East China Sea

In 2025, China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were observed in the contiguous zone around the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands for a record 357 days. This marks the fourth consecutive year of increase in China's maritime presence in the area, underscoring persistent tensions over the uninhabited archipelago in the East China Sea. The previous record, set in 2024, stood at 355 days.

Beyond the contiguous zone, CCG ships also intruded into Japan's territorial waters on 32 days in 2025. A notable incident occurred in March 2025, when two CCG vessels maintained a continuous presence in the territorial waters for over 92 hours, surpassing a previous record of approximately 81 hours set in 2023. The scale of operations also reached new highs, with a total of 1,380 Chinese government vessels operating in the contiguous zone throughout 2025, marking the third consecutive year for this record. Furthermore, Chinese government vessels maintained an uninterrupted presence in the contiguous zone for 335 successive days between November 19, 2024, and October 19, 2025, representing their longest continuous presence to date.

Understanding the Contiguous Zone and Territorial Dispute

The contiguous zone is a maritime area that extends from the outer edge of a nation's territorial sea, typically ranging from 12 to 24 nautical miles from the baseline. Within this zone, a state can exercise control to prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations. The Senkaku Islands, known as the Diaoyu Islands in China and Diaoyutai Islands in Taiwan, are a group of small, uninhabited islands. Japan administers these islands, asserting that they were terra nullius (land belonging to no one) when formally incorporated into Japanese territory in 1895.

Conversely, China claims sovereignty over the islands, citing historical evidence that dates back to the Ming Dynasty. Taiwan also asserts its own claim to the archipelago. The dispute intensified significantly after Japan nationalized three of the islands from a private owner in 2012, a move that Beijing denounced as a provocation and a unilateral attempt to change the status quo.

Japan's Response and Regional Implications

Japan views China's escalating maritime activities as unilateral attempts to alter the status quo by force and as violations of international law. In response, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) consistently demands that Chinese vessels leave the waters and lodges strong diplomatic protests with the Chinese government. Japan has affirmed its determination to firmly and perpetually defend its territorial land, sea, and airspace, responding to the situation in a resolute and calm manner.

The JCG has bolstered its capabilities and presence in the region, including increasing its fleet size and personnel. The islands hold significant geopolitical importance due to their strategic location near major maritime routes, rich fishing grounds, and potential oil and natural gas reserves. The United States has a long-standing policy that the 1960 US-Japan Security Treaty covers the Senkaku Islands, committing the US to defend territories under Japan's administration, adding a critical international dimension to the ongoing dispute.