China Continues Patrols Around Disputed Islands

Three Chinese ships have ignored warnings from Japanese ships in the area

The Japanese Coast Guard says three Chinese government ships have entered the waters near a hotly disputed island chain in the East China Sea.

In a statement Wednesday, the coast guard says the Chinese ships ignored warnings from Japanese patrol vessels and sailed near the Tokyo-controlled islands. It says the Japanese ships are demanding that the Chinese vessels leave the area, but have not yet received a reply.