Beijing-Tokyo distrust lingers as record number of Chinese ships seen near Diaoyu Islands

A record 998 Chinese government ships have been identified in waters close to disputed Japanese-held islands in the East China Sea in the first 11 months of the year, underlining the lingering distrust that exists between Tokyo and Beijing despite what appear to be improved bilateral relations.The vessels were confirmed to be operating within the contiguous zone around the Diaoyu Islands – which Japan controls and knows as the Senkaku Islands – from January 1 to November 29, the Mainichi…