The Japanese destroyer Suzutsuki briefly entered Chinese territorial waters for approximately 20 minutes in July 2024.
Monitor Naval Exercises
This marks the first such occurrence since the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The incident was recently disclosed by Japan, prompting the dismissal of the ship's commander.
The Suzutsuki was deployed near the Chinese coast to monitor naval exercises conducted by China. During its mission, the vessel inadvertently crossed into Chinese waters, which extend 12 nautical miles (about 22 kilometers) from the shore, according to WP.
An investigation revealed that communication errors contributed to this misstep, resulting in the captain's removal from command after just two months in charge.
Met with Robust Response
Japan promptly notified China about the incident, which was met with a robust response. In retaliation, China dispatched a fleet consisting of two destroyers and the aircraft carrier Liaoning into Japan's adjacent waters, which similarly extend 12 nautical miles from its territorial sea.
Such a move underscores China's intention to assert its territorial claims in the region.
The Suzutsuki is a Type Akizuki destroyer, introduced into service between 2011 and 2014, displacing 6,800 tons and measuring 150 meters in length. It is designed to provide close-in defense for Japanese helicopter carriers while operating alongside older Kongo-class destroyers equipped with advanced Aegis combat systems.
