BEIJING, April 24 -- "The Chinese military's operations in relevant waters and airspace are in line with international law and practices, and do not target any specific entity," said a Chinese defense spokesperson on Thursday.
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when asked to comment on the recent statement of the Japanese defense minister and the Japanese defense ministry.
The Japanese defense minister reportedly claimed that the Chinese military drones operate frequently near Japan's airspace and are expanding their flying zone, which has caused concerns among the Japanese side and the international community. He also said that the Japanese side will take comprehensive measures for vigilance and reconnaissance. The Japanese defense ministry said that the number of emergency scrambles conducted in response to Chinese military drones in 2024 more than doubled year-on-year.
"The Chinese military's operations in relevant waters and airspace are in line with international law and practices, and do not target any specific entity. They are aimed at enhancing our capability to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests," said the spokesperson, noting that there is absolutely no need for the Japanese side to be paranoid and over-worried.
The spokesperson said that China requires the Japanese side to stop its hype and stop monitoring and disrupting operations of the Chinese side. "This will help avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation, prevent accidents at sea and in the air, and avert negative impacts on the relationship between the two countries and two militaries."