On Sunday, Chinese coast guard vessels navigated through the waters of the Senkaku Islands, asserting it as part of a “rights enforcement patrol.” This maneuver has further strained relations with Japan.

This development follows recent tensions sparked by Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. Earlier this month, Takaichi firmly supported Taiwan’s sovereignty, declaring that any Chinese aggression towards Taiwan would prompt Japan to respond militarily. Her stance has clearly agitated Beijing.

The China Coast Guard stated, “Vessel 1307 undertook patrols within the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands, a legitimate operation by the China Coast Guard to protect its rights and interests.”

Since Takaichi’s pronouncement on November 7 regarding Taiwan, Chinese authorities have summoned Japan’s ambassador and issued advisories to Chinese citizens against visiting Japan. Moreover, China’s defense ministry has warned that Japanese intervention would be futile in safeguarding Taiwan.

The image showcases a China Coast Guard ship, similar to those that traversed the Senkaku Islands under Japanese administration. (Photo by Adrian Portugal/Reuters)

The most vicious response came from China’s consul general in Osaka, who appeared to threaten to decapitate Takaichi in a now-deleted post on social media.

The official, Xue Jian, wrote, “That filthy neck that barged in on its own–I’ve got no choice but to cut it off without a moment’s hesitation. Are you prepared for that?”

Japan’s government condemned the statement, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara calling it “extremely inappropriate” and confirming that Tokyo had lodged a formal protest with Beijing. Kihara said Xue had made “multiple” inflammatory remarks in the past and urged China to take disciplinary action.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi angered Beijing with a vow to protect Taiwan from attack. (Kim Kyung-Hoon/Pool Photo via AP)

China instead appeared to defend the diplomat. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters Monday that Xue’s words came in response to Takaichi’s “wrongful and dangerous” comments, which he said misrepresented China’s position on Taiwan. Lin accused Japan of “refusing to face up to its historical responsibilities” and warned Tokyo not to interfere in “internal Chinese affairs.”

A Taiwanese fighter jet lands at an airbase in Hsinchu, northern Taiwan. ((AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying))

Taiwan’s defense ministry says it has also detected ramped up aggression from China in recent days. The self-governed island said it monitored 30 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval ships operating nearby, according to NBC News.