China slams Japan for slandering its air defence zone in international forum

London – China has condemned Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for “maliciously slandering” the newly declared air defence zone of Beijing in an international forum.

Foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei expressed strong dissatisfaction with Japan’s leader, claiming that Japan’s seizure and occupation of the disputed Senkaku islands is illegal and invalid, the Guardian reported.

He further said that the air zone was in line with international laws and practices to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and did not affect aviation freedom.

The reaction came after Abe said at an international conference that China’s recent announcement of the air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over disputed islands in the East China Sea was “unjustly violating the freedom of aviation over the high seas” and demanded Beijing withdraw it.

The self-proclaimed air defence zone of China in the South China Sea has triggered protests from Japan, the United States and South Korea.