China accuses Japan of interfering in naval drills
Haixun 31, one of China’s largest patrol ships. INQUIRER file photo
BEIJING — China has accused Japan of interfering in its recent naval exercises and says it may take unspecified further action if the interference does not stop.
Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun told reporters Thursday that a Japanese navy ship entered the exercise area on Oct. 25 and stayed for three days. Yang said Japanese ships and aircraft lingered close by, conducting “high intensity” tracking and surveillance.
Yang said the Japanese actions constituted interference that threatened the safety of Chinese ships and aircraft, and could have resulted in accidents. He said China demands that Japan cease such provocations and reserves the right to take further action.
The drills are due to end Friday. They come amid continuing tensions over competing claims to an uninhabited island group in the East China Sea.
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