Chinese business visit to Russia-held Kuril Islands prompts protest from Japan

What happened: A business delegation from China's Heilongjiang province visited Etorofu, known to Russians as Iturup, a Russian-controlled island also claimed by Japan, to explore joint economic projects. Tokyo protested the visit. Why it matters: The visit prompted protests from Japan, which claims the island. The delegation surveyed potential investment opportunities, according to the Sakhalin Oblast government, which oversees the island.

A business delegation from China's Heilongjiang province visited Etorofu, known to Russians as Iturup, a Russian-controlled island also claimed by Japan, to explore joint economic projects. Tokyo protested the visit.

The visit prompted protests from Japan, which claims the island. The delegation surveyed potential investment opportunities, according to the Sakhalin Oblast government, which oversees the island.