China Rejects Japan's 180km Okinotori Drill Protest as PLA, Russian Ships Exercise
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Jul 21
China Rejects Japan's 180km Okinotori Drill Protest as PLA, Russian Ships Exercise
3 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Jul 21
Summary
Lin Jian on Tuesday called Japan's protest "groundless," rejecting Tokyo's claim that a Chinese warship held a live-fire drill inside Japan's claimed EEZ near Okinotori.
Japan's defence ministry said one of three PLA Navy vessels exercising with a Russian navy ship on Sunday fired about 180km southwest of Okinotori Island while a Russian frigate was nearby.
Tokyo said it raised the issue with China through diplomatic channels and is continuing to monitor the operation in the Pacific southwest of the remote island.
China said it had already made clear the location of the China-Russia exercise and patrol, arguing the activity complied with international law.