China summoned the Japanese ambassador over Tokyo's response to Beijing's new "air defence identification zone" which covers islands claimed by both sides, the foreign ministry said Monday.
"Officials of the Chinese foreign ministry have summoned the Japanese ambassador to China to express China's strong dissatisfaction and solemn protest regarding Japan's unreasonable hype over China's establishing an air defence identification zone," spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular press briefing.
China rebuffs protests from Japan, US over maritime air zone
China's defence ministry on Monday said it had protested to Japanese and US diplomats after the two nations criticized China's new "air defence identification zone" near disputed islands in the East China Sea.
The ministry "lodged solemn representations" with the US military attache in Beijing on Sunday evening after making a similar protest to Japanese diplomats, spokesman Yang Yujun was quoted as saying on the ministry's official website.
China announced the zone on Saturday, prompting a protest from Japan and "deep concern" from the United States.
It said it has the right to identify and possibly intercept planes flying inside the zone.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said such "escalatory action will only increase tensions in the region and create risks of an incident."
The zone covers the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands, a group close to oil and gas reserves and claimed by China as the Diaoyu and Taiwan as the Tiaoyutai.
Yang said China has "unwavering" determination to defend its claim to sovereignty over the islands, accusing Japan of "creating tense situations."
"We strongly require the Japanese side to stop all moves that undermine China's territorial sovereignty as well as irresponsible remarks that misguide international opinions and create regional tensions," he said.
This story first appeared on Voice of Russia & is reposted here with permission.