UPDATE - Japan rejects China's 'interference' claim amid fighter jet engagement

UPDATES WITH SUMMONING OF CHINESE ENVOY TO TOKYO, COMMENTS FROM CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY, ADDS ANOTHER DECK

By Aamir Latif and Berk Kutay Gokmen

KARACHI / Pakistan / ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan on Monday rejected China's claim that interference by Japanese Self-Defense Forces fighter jets during Chinese naval training prompted radar to be locked on the planes, local media reported.

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters that the Air Self-Defense Force (ASDF) jets kept a "safe distance" from Chinese military aircraft off Japan's southernmost province of Okinawa, according to the Tokyo-based Kyodo News.

On Sunday, without mentioning a radar lock, the Chinese navy said that Japanese aircraft "repeatedly approached and disrupted" the Chinese naval training maritime area and airspace, and "seriously endangered flight safety."

Responding to the statement, Kihara said that the radar lock-on incidents were "dangerous acts beyond what was necessary for the safe flight of aircraft."

Tokyo, he added, will take "all possible" air and maritime surveillance measures while closely monitoring the Chinese military's activities.

Beijing Monday doubled down on its claim, saying: "The truth, and the fact, is very clear," adding China's military practices in the area "are in line with international law."

"We strongly urge the Japanese side to stop harassing the normal drill practices and stop all kinds of irresponsible hype and political manipulation," Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters.

In a related development, Japan Sunday summoned Chinese Ambassador to Tokyo Wu Jianghao to lodge a "strong" protest over the incident, said a statement from the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Japan's vice Foreign Minister Funakoshi Takehiro said that "such dangerous acts are extremely regrettable and strongly urged the Government of China to ensure that similar actions do not recur."

On Saturday, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Chinese J-15 aircraft from the carrier Liaoning locked radar on two ASDF F-15 jets over high seas southeast of Okinawa's main island.

The latest controversy came as tensions run high between Beijing and Tokyo following Takaichi's remarks on Nov. 7 that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could legally constitute a "survival-threatening situation," potentially allowing Japan to "exercise the right of collective self-defense."

China sharply criticized the comments, urged tourists not to visit Japan, suspended seafood imports, and also postponed a trilateral culture ministers’ meeting with Japan and South Korea.

Taiwan is claimed by Beijing and lies near Japan’s Yonaguni Island.

*Writing by Aamir Latif