China has issued a stern protest to Japan following the unauthorized entry of a Japanese civilian aircraft into the airspace over the Diaoyu Islands. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has prompted Beijing to demand an immediate halt to such provocative actions, warning that they could jeopardize the stability of bilateral relations. Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Asian Affairs Department at China’s Foreign Ministry, conveyed the protest to Yokochi Akira, the Chief Minister of the Japanese Embassy in Beijing, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The Chinese Coast Guard swiftly responded by deploying ship-based helicopters to warn and expel the intruding aircraft during a routine patrol in the area. Japan’s Ministry of Defense, however, accused Chinese helicopters of violating its territorial airspace—a claim vehemently denied by Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense. Zhang reiterated that the Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islets are an inherent part of Chinese territory, and any unauthorized entry constitutes a serious breach of China’s sovereignty. He defended the Coast Guard’s actions as ‘completely legitimate and legal,’ urging Japan to restrain its citizens and avoid further provocations. Both Liu Jinsong and China Coast Guard spokesman Liu Dejun emphasized that China will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard its territorial integrity and maritime rights. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions between the two nations over the disputed islands, with China calling for Japan to act responsibly to maintain regional stability.