Beijing hits back at Tokyo over drill

China on Tuesday rejected Japan's claims about Chinese warships operating in waters near Okinotori during a joint exercise with Russia, saying the activities in the high seas are fully consistent with international law and global practice.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian made the remarks at a news conference in response to reports that Japan had lodged a protest alleging Chinese vessels entered "Japan's exclusive economic zone" during the drill, calling Tokyo's concerns groundless.

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Okinotori is a rock rather than an island, and thus unfit to claim an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf, Lin said. "Japan's claim of an exclusive economic zone around Okinotori violates international law," he said.

Lin accused Japan of smearing other countries' legitimate and lawful operations, and peddling the so-called external threat as attempts to find excuses for accelerating remilitarization and challenging the postwar international order.

The international community must stay on high alert and jointly push back on this dangerous pursuit, he added.

jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn