China criticizes Japan for stoking up 'China threat'

BEIJING - China on Thursday criticized a decision by the Lower House of Japan's Diet to pass a resolution in protest against Chinese aircraft which flew unusually close to Japanese airplanes above the East China Sea.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular press briefing that it was highly irresponsible for the Japanese legislature to use the incident to hype up the "China threat" and defame China.

Two Japanese airplanes, OP-3C and YS-11EB, intruded into the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone on May 24 to scout and interfere with China-Russia naval drills, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Defense Ministry last week.

China has evidence that Japanese warplanes disrupted Chinese military jets' normal flight routines, the Defense Ministry said.

China has already stated its position on the incident, said Hong, adding that the decision of Japan's Diet will mislead the public, exacerbate tensions and undermine bilateral ties.

"We urge the Japanese side to respect facts, self-reflect and cease provocations," he said, calling on Japan to make concrete efforts to improve bilateral relations.