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| JMSDF Beechcraft King Air TC-90 (Image: Wiki Commons) |
Beijing on Thursday accused Tokyo of interfering in the South China Sea after Manila said it would lease five Japanese military plans to patrol areas it claims in the heavily disputed waters.
Beijing claims almost all of the strategically vital South China Sea, and is embroiled in a separate row with Tokyo over disputed islands in the East China Sea that has seen relations between the Asian powers sour badly in recent years.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino said Wednesday that Manila would lease five TC-90 training aircraft from Japan to "help our navy patrol our territory", pointing out the disputed area in particular.
China's foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Beijing was "firmly opposed" to challenges to its sovereignty and security and would "remain on high alert".
Read the full story at SpaceDaily