Navy sailing near Diaoyu 'legitimate'

Japan hypes up situation, intensifies tensions unreasonably, says expert

The Defense Ministry on Thursday refuted Japan's protest over Chinese warships sailing close to the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea.

"The Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands are China's inherent territory. The sailing of Chinese warships through waters under its own jurisdiction is reasonable and legitimate," the ministry said in a statement released on its official Weibo account.