China urges Japan to stop harassing its normal military exercise

China urged Japan to immediately cease its dangerous harassment of China's normal training activities and stop all irresponsible false hype and political manipulation on Monday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a news conference that China has clearly stated its serious position on the issue and the facts are very clear. He stressed that China's military exercises in relevant sea and air areas fully comply with international law and practice, and that the operations involved were professional, standard and beyond reproach.

It is common for carrier-based aircraft to activate search radars during flight training, which is a normal procedure used by militaries worldwide to ensure flight safety, Guo noted.

He said the crux of this incident is that the Japanese fighter jet trespassed into China's training zone, conducting close-in reconnaissance and interference against Chinese military activities, and then leveling false accusations against China. 

Japan is distorting the facts, shifting blame, and misleading the international community, Guo said, adding that China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to such actions and has lodged stern representations and strong protests with Tokyo.

He denounced Japan for deliberately spreading and hyping false information in the security domain at this sensitive moment to create tension with ulterior motives.

(Cover: File photo of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. /VCG)