China defends military training in W. Pacific

BEIJING - China on Thursday said the training by its military vessels and jets in the west Pacific is routine.

"The training by Chinese military vessels and aircraft in the west Pacific is routine and in line with the international law and practice," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said at a daily press briefing on Thursday.

Geng's comments came after the Japanese defense ministry announced new monitoring facilities on Iwo Jima, an island 1,200 kilometers south of Tokyo, to collect information about Chinese activity in the Pacific.

"No one should overreact to the legal actions of the Chinese military. Only those with ulterior motives will overreact," Geng said.

Regarding Japanese defense officials' remarks on the deployment of self-defense forces, Geng urged the international community to be alert to Japan's moves to depart from peace and development, challenge the post-war international order and expand its military and show its force.

Concerning Japan's comments on Chinese drones, Geng said Chinese military aircrafts never infringe on other countries' airspace. "China never allows other countries' aircraft to infringe on China's airspace."