China accuses Japan of meddling in South China Sea dispute

In the white paper of more than 560 pages, Japan devoted 34 pages to "unjustified criticism" of China's normal defence construction and military activities, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said.

Japan said in its defence white paper that "China has tried to change the status quo in the East China Sea and South China Sea based on its own assertions, and this has become a common concern of the region and the world at large." Geng accused Japan of meddling in the South China Sea, saying China has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side.

Geng reaffirmed that the will of the Chinese government to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is firm. China claims almost all of South China Sea and also laid claims on the Senkaku islands under the control of Japan in East China Sea and resorted to aggressive patrols in the last two years. Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the South China Sea. Geng said conducting patrols and law-enforcement activities in waters off the Diaoyu (Senkaku) Islands is China's inherent right and Japan is in no position to point fingers at those activities.

The Chinese side, carrying out normal sea and air activities in accordance with international law, relevant domestic laws and regulations as well as national defence needs, is beyond reproach, he said.

The construction of necessary and appropriate facilities by the Chinese side in some reefs and islands of the Nansha Islands is a legitimate right granted to sovereign states by international law, which has nothing to do with militarisation and does not pose a threat to regional security, Geng said.