Guo Jiakun

 
It's fairly apparent what the Japanese side is up to by spreading disinformation in military and security areas and creating tension at this particular time, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday, commenting on question concerning the Japanese side's claim of Chinese Navy carrier-based aircraft conducting "radar illumination" on Japanese SDF fighter jets.

Guo stated at the Monday press conference that the Chinese side has stated its serious position on the issue. The facts are very clear, he said. China's exercise and training in relevant waters and airspace fully complies with the international law and international practice. Our maneuvers are professional, standard, and beyond reproach. To activate search radar during flight training is commonly done by carrier-based aircraft of all countries. It's also a normal measure to ensure flight safety, the spokesperson said. 

Guo stated that the incident arose from Japanese jets' deliberate intrusion into China's exercise and training zones and close-in reconnaissance and disruptions on China's normal military activities. Yet, the Japanese side blamed it on China and sought to mislead the world by falsely accusing China of "radar illumination." China deplores and opposes the false accusation and has strongly protested to the Japanese side.

We strongly urge the Japanese side to immediately stop its dangerous harassment of China's military exercise and training, and stop all irresponsible allegations and political manipulation, the spokesperson said. 

The Japanese defense ministry claimed on Sunday that China's Liaoning aircraft carrier formation headed northeast after sailing through the Miyako Strait. The Japanese side believes that Chinese carrier formation consisted of the aircraft carrier Liaoning (Hull 16), the Type 055 large destroyer Nanchang (Hull 101) and two Type 052D destroyers with hull numbers 117 and 124, according to the release, which was in waters some 190 kilometers east of Kikaijima island by Sunday, further heading eastward.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said on Sunday that China's Liaoning aircraft carrier formation conducted far seas training in the waters east of the Miyako Strait, which is in line with international law and international practices.