'Dangerous provocation' condemned

The Ministry of National Defense on Thursday criticized Japan for interfering in a Chinese military drill on the open sea, calling the move "an extremely dangerous provocation".

A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force warship intruded into a sea area in the West Pacific where the Chinese navy was holding an exercise on Oct 25, Yang Yujun, spokesman for the ministry, said a news briefing.

China had publicized the exercise areas in advance via international maritime organizations in accordance with international practice, alerting foreign vessels and planes to take precautions.