Originally published by AFP, 23 Apr 2010

 TOKYO (AFP) – Japan Friday rejected China’s claim that two incidents in which a helicopter from a Chinese naval flotilla flew close to a Japanese destroyer this month were “necessary defence measures”.

The statement follows Tokyo’s protests to Beijing over the incidents, which took place off Japan’s southern Okinawa island chain on April 8 and Wednesday.

The Chinese flotilla — including two submarines and eight other ships — was the largest group of Chinese warships monitored in the region, according to Japan’s defence ministry.

In response to Japan’s protests, China replied late Thursday that the helicopter manoeuvres were a “necessary defence measure against Japan’s warning and surveillance activities,” Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa told reporters.

“Even though the incidents took place on the high seas, it was extremely dangerous. So we filed a stern protest (again) through diplomatic channels,” Kitazawa said.

“Both sides should act in a way to prevent any accident.”

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said later: “We listened to the Chinese explanation and we were not necessarily convinced by it.”

He added that Japan’s surveillance activities were “not something dangerous or illegal. We must exchange views seriously on this matter.”

According to Japan’s defence ministry, the sea-borne helicopter approached the Japanese destroyer Asayuki some 500 kilometres (300 miles) south of the main Okinawan island in the latest incident.

The helicopter flew at an altitude as low as 50 metres (165 feet) and twice flew around the destroyer, approaching as close as 90 metres (295 feet).

Between April 7 and 9, the Chinese fleet conducted drills in the East China Sea near Okinawa and then moved to the Pacific Ocean on April 10, Kyodo news agency said, quoting Japanese government officials.

In recent years, the Chinese navy has sent its fleets to the Pacific Ocean via the waters near Okinawa, it added.

 http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/100423/world/japan_china_military_2