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While most of those heading to Greece cross into the country’s eastern Aegean Sea islands from the nearby Turkish coast, others try to skirt Greece altogether and head from north Africa to Italy across the longer and more dangerous Mediterranean route.

Chinese coast guard ships also regularly approach disputed Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands near Taiwan.

Chinese coast guard ships regularly approach disputed Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands near Taiwan.

Hu Zhongming will take over as navy commander as China works to establish itself as a global maritime power to protect its trade interests, consolidate its hold over the South China Sea and East China Sea islands, and expand its global interests in order to diminish U.S. power.

Japan has territorial disputes with China over the Japanese-controlled East China Sea islands which Beijing also claims.