Tokyo files protest with Beijing over gas field bid

TOKYO: Japan has lodged a protest with China after discovering what it says were efforts by Beijing to develop gas fields in disputed waters of the East China Sea.

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Tokyo's foreign ministry said late on Monday it had confirmed that Beijing was setting up drilling rigs in the area — where the two countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZ) claims overlap — and submitted a complaint to the Chinese embassy.

“It is extremely regrettable that China is advancing unilateral development,” the ministry said, noting it had taken place on the Chinese side of the de facto maritime border.