Japan expressed safety concerns after a Chinese navy destroyer conducted live-fire drills in its exclusive economic zone near Okinotori Island on Sunday during joint exercises with Russia.
The Chinese Luyang III-class guided-missile destroyer fired a machine gun 180 kilometers southwest of Okinotori Island. The Japanese Joint Staff said it was the first time it had disclosed detection of such drills in the Japanese exclusive economic zone, though the action did not violate international law.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters Tuesday that the government had conveyed concerns that the drills posed a potential safety threat to nearby vessels. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi noted the deepening military cooperation between China and Russia.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said the cooperation safeguards sovereignty and regional peace and stability, and urged parties to stop groundless speculation. China disputes Japan's claim of an exclusive economic zone around the atoll.
