Uninhabited East China Sea islets, administered by Japan, at the center of a regional dispute
China’s Luyang III-class destroyer has conducted live-fire drills within Japan’s EEZ near Okinotori, while Russia’s presence and joint patrols with China are drawing concern from Tokyo. Officials say the drills, observed during a China-Russia exercise, underscore deepening military cooperation in the region. Authorities are monitoring moves around Japan’s waters and airspace.
Three veteran Hong Kong activists — Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung and Albert Ho — have been sentenced to between five and seven years after convictions for inciting subversion under Beijings 2020 national security law. The sentences follow convictions in August and will include time already served, rights groups and foreign governments have condemned the verdicts.