China says naval deployment near Japan part of routine military drills

China’s Ministry of National Defence maintained that the deployment of a People’s Liberation Army Navy task force in waters near Japan is part of planned military training and is not directed against any country.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Chen Xi stressed that the exercises are being conducted in line with the military’s annual training plan, international law and generally accepted international norms.

“It [training] aims to further enhance the capabilities of our troops in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests,” he noted.

The statement came after Japan’s Defence Ministry reported the presence of around 10 Chinese naval vessels operating near Japanese islands.

By Jeyhun Aghazada