BEIJING (Reuters) -A China Coast Guard ship formation passed through the waters of the Senkaku Islands on Sunday on a "rights enforcement patrol", the China Coast Guard said in a statement, as Beijing ramps up tensions with Japan over its prime minister's remarks on Taiwan.

Ships sail near the Senkaku or Diaoyu chain as officials warn there is no straightforward way to ease tensions

Both countries have summoned each other’s ambassadors after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a military response from Tokyo.

China sent a coast guard formation through the disputed Senkaku waters on Sunday, stepping up pressure on Japan amid a growing diplomatic row sparked by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks on Taiwan.

The move is seen as part of Beijing’s response to Japanese PM Takaichi’s recent remarks regarding a Taiwan contingency. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Japan will suffer a "crushing defeat" by the Chinese military if it tries to use force to intervene over Taiwan, China's defence ministry said on Friday, ramping up the rhetoric over Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about the island.

A Chinese diplomat’s call to cut off the prime minister’s “filthy head” signaled a revival of a combative style Beijing had tried to dial back.

Chinese Type 055 destroyer among vessels to transit Osumi Strait on Tuesday, days after Beijing criticised PM: Japanese defence ministry.