Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense Photo: China's Ministry of National Defense

In response to a media inquiry on Japanese Ministry of Defense's claim that two Chinese aircraft carriers were operating simultaneously in the Pacific for the first time, and that Chinese carrier-based aircraft came "unusually close" to a Japanese military patrol plane, Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense said on Friday that recently, the Chinese Navy's Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carrier groups conducted routine training in the Western Pacific. 

Japanese ships and aircraft repeatedly approached and interfered, deliberately creating maritime and air safety risks. China is strongly dissatisfied with this and has lodged a stern protest with Japan, Jiang said.

China's carrier training was conducted in international waters, was not directed at any specific country or target, and fully complied with international law and international practice. In response to Japanese ships and aircraft forcibly entering China's training area, China's actions were lawful, professional, and restrained throughout the process, said the spokesperson. 

We urge Japan to stop its dangerous provocations to avoid unexpected incidents at sea and in the air, said Jiang.

Global Times