Chinese planes flying over its seas legal based on int'l law: defense ministry

BEIJING - The Chinese defense ministry said on Thursday that Chinese military aircraft flying over China's seas accords with international law.

The Japanese defense ministry reportedly alleged that two Chinese military aircraft on Monday were, at one time, flying over the sea some 60 kilometers from the airspace of the Diaoyu Islands, but did not enter "Japanese territorial airspace". The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force reportedly sent F-15 fighters to intercept them.

An official with China's Ministry of National Defense told reporters that Chinese military aircraft flying over seas under its jurisdiction accords with international law.