Japan sends fighter jets near disputed islands in East China Sea
Iran Press TV
Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:6AM GMT
Japan has dispatched fighter jets to thwart a Chinese military plane flying near a chain of disputed islands claimed by both Beijing and Tokyo.
A spokesman for Japan's Defense Ministry said that the fighter jets were deployed along the chain of islands in southern Japan after a Chinese Y-8 airborne early warning plane travelled between Okinawa prefecture's main island and the smaller Miyako Island around noon on Wednesday.
"I believe this indicates China's move toward further maritime expansion," said Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera.
Meanwhile, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said the aircraft was on a planned training flight over the Pacific, and flew through international airspace.
"China has the legal right to freedom of flight over the relevant seas… This was not aimed at any specific country or had any specific aim, and was in accordance with international law and practice," Geng stated.
Tokyo and Beijing have long been in a dispute over a group of islands located in the East China Sea, which would give the owner exclusive oil, mineral and fishing rights in the surrounding waters.
In January, Japanese fighter jets were sent to fight off a Chinese aircraft venturing near the disputed areas.
On December 31, 2012, China added a group of renovated ex-navy vessels to its maritime surveillance fleet in the East and South China Seas, amid ongoing territorial dispute with Japan.
Japanese sources also reported on the same day that Tokyo was considering plans to introduce the US Global Hawk unmanned aircraft by 2015 to boost surveillance in its waters near the uninhabited territories.
GMA/HSN
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