This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20707760

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Japan accuses China of airspace intrusion over islands Japan accuses China of airspace intrusion over islands
(35 minutes later)
Japan has accused China of violating its airspace for the first time after a Chinese plane flew near disputed East China Sea islands. Japan has accused China of violating its airspace for the first time after a Chinese government plane flew near disputed East China Sea islands.
Fighter jets were scrambled when the Chinese Oceanic Administration plane was observed, government spokesman Osamu Fujimura said. Fighter jets were scrambled after the plane was seen around 11:00 local time (02:00 GMT) near one of the islands, spokesman Osamu Fujimura said.
Japan lodged an immediate protest with Beijing, he said.Japan lodged an immediate protest with Beijing, he said.
The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have been a long-standing source of tension.The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, have been a long-standing source of tension.
The Chinese plane was spotted at around 11:00 local time (02:00 GMT), Mr Fujimura said. Japan's defence ministry said it was the first intrusion into Japan's air space by a Chinese government aircraft since the military began keeping records, public broadcaster NHK reported.
He called the incident "extremely deplorable", saying it followed a report from the Japanese coast guard that Chinese surveillance ships were seen in waters near the islands earlier in the day. Last year, Japan said two Chinese military planes flew near the area, but did not enter the country's airspace.
'Normal'
Mr Fujimura called the incident "extremely deplorable", saying it followed a report from the coast guard that Chinese surveillance ships had also been seen in waters near the islands earlier in the day.
"It is extremely regrettable that, on top of that, an intrusion into our airspace has been committed in this way," he said.
The Chinese ambassador in Tokyo had been summoned to hear a formal Japanese protest, he said.The Chinese ambassador in Tokyo had been summoned to hear a formal Japanese protest, he said.
Hong Lei, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, however said during a regular news briefing that the plane's flight was "completely normal". China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, however, said during a regular news briefing that the plane's flight was "completely normal".
The Chinese ministry also said that Japan should stop entering the sea and airspace near the disputed islands, Reuters news agency reports. "The Diaoyu islands and affiliated islands are part of China's inherent territory," he said. "The Chinese side calls on Japan to halt all entries into water and airspace around the islands."
Japan controls the islands, which are also claimed by Taiwan. Close to strategically important shipping lanes, the waters around the islands also offer rich fishing grounds and are thought to contain oil deposits.Japan controls the islands, which are also claimed by Taiwan. Close to strategically important shipping lanes, the waters around the islands also offer rich fishing grounds and are thought to contain oil deposits.
The Japanese government's acquisition of three of the islands from their private Japanese owner in September sparked both diplomatic and public protests in China. The dispute over their ownership has rumbled for years but the Japanese government's acquisition of three of the islands from their private Japanese owner in September sparked a renewed row, triggering a diplomatic chill and public protests in some Chinese cities.
Since then Chinese ships have been sailing in and out of waters around the islands, prompting warnings from Japan.Since then Chinese ships have been sailing in and out of waters around the islands, prompting warnings from Japan.
Last year, Japan said two Chinese military planes flew near the area, but did not enter the country's airspace. The incident comes days before a Japanese general election thought likely to result in a change of government in Tokyo.