IN BRIEF (Page 12)

China

Japan accused of creating tension

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Thursday accused Japan of creating tension and tarnishing China's image. Japan's efforts to ratchet up tension run against efforts to improve Sino-Japanese ties, spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily news briefing.

Hua's comments came in response to Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera's allegation that China's recent use of fire-control radar to lock onto a Japanese fleet in the East China Sea amounted to a "threat of force". "Now it is not a matter of China displaying its strength, but Japanese vessels and planes' continuous illegal activities in China's territorial waters and airspace," she said.

Tunisia

Offer to dismiss govt rejected

Tunisia's ruling party on Thursday rejected Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali's proposal to dissolve the government and install a cabinet of technocrats to restore calm after the killing of an opposition leader. IRAN

Leader refuses dialogue proposal

Iran's supreme leader on Thursday strongly rejected proposals for direct talks with the US, apparently quashing suggestions for a breakthrough dialogue on the nuclear standoff and potentially other issues.

Xinhua-Reuters-AP

(China Daily 02/08/2013 page12)