TOKYO — Chinese government vessels were spotted in waters near the Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands, inside Japan's contiguous zone, for a record 66th consecutive day on Thursday, June 18.<br /><br />Citing a spokesman for the Japan 11th Regional Coast Guard headquarters, the Stars and Stripes reported that four Chinese coast guard vessels appeared about 18 miles north-northwest of Uotsuri Island around 9 a.m. Thursday.<br /><br />Also on Thursday, a Chinese submarine was detected underwater heading west near Amami Oshima Island, the Japan Times reported, citing the ministry of defense.<br /><br />China claims the Senkaku Islands as its own territory and refers to them as the Diaoyutai.
