"The Chinese side planted a drilling ship and is carrying out some work on China's side next to the separating line. This is extremely regrettable. Japan made its objection known to China through diplomatic channels. The Japanese government insists on the halt to the unilateral [gas] development activity and attempt to make it look like a fait accompli [an accomplished fact]," Kishida said, as quoted by the NHK broadcaster.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga also said at a press conference on Tuesday that Japan was demanding that the activity be stopped and stressed that Tokyo was insisting on the urgent resumption of the talks on joint development.
In 2008, China and Japan agreed to jointly develop the undersea gas fields in the East China Sea area, in which the two countries have not agreed on demarcation. However, Japan has repeatedly said that China is carrying out unilateral work in the area.
