Chinese naval, coast guard vessels pass Japan strait into Pacific

Three Chinese naval vessels and a China Coast Guard ship passed through the Osumi Strait off Kagoshima Prefecture into the Pacific Ocean, Japan's Defense Ministry said Wednesday.It is the first time the ministry has announced that a China Coast Guard vessel accompanied a Chinese navy vessel through a strait near Japan.The ministry is closely monitoring their activities as it believes the move is part of China's efforts to increase its maritime assertiveness.At around 10 a.m. Tuesday, the four Chinese vessels were cruising in waters about 200 kilometers west of Kuchinoerabu Island in Kagoshi…READ FULL ARTICLE