China has promptly fired back at Japan after a Japanese Defense Ministry review that was covered in this HNGN article demanded that China cease oil exploration operations in parts of the East China Sea, for reasons that China's drilling operations may tap into reservoirs that extend to Japanese territory.
The oil drilling operations that China initiated also lie close to a chain of islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, which both countries claim, according to Yahoo! News. Japan is apprehensive about the possibility of the Chinese structures being built also being used as radar stations or bases for drones.
If China does use the structures as monitoring stations, it will have a definite strategic advantage in monitoring activities near the disputed islets.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, however, states that the Japanese Defense Ministry review ignored that China's activities were carried out within the boundaries of international law, reports Reuters.
"The Diaoyu islands have belonged to China since ancient times. China will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and Japan should not hold any unrealistic illusions," he said.
The Japanese report further mentions China's controversial land reclamation in disputed areas in the South China Sea. China however, maintains that it is simply carrying out its rights within its territory.
"China's construction activities are entirely within the scope of its sovereignty, and neither impacts, nor is it directed at, any country," Lu said.
"We solemnly urge Japan to stop stoking tensions, provoking with contradictions and instead undertake more activities that are conducive to regional peace and stability," he added.
