BEIJING, Dec. 7 -- "Japan falsely accused China's normal operations, which is nothing but a typical trick of 'a-thief-crying-stop-thief'. We are extremely dissatisfied with and firmly oppose the provocative actions and misleading remarks of the Japanese side," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), on Sunday.
The spokesperson made the remarks in response to Japan's false statement about the Chinese PLA Navy's Liaoning aircraft carrier task group. According to reports, Japan's Ministry of Defense claimed that the carrier-based aircraft of China's Liaoning aircraft carrier task group directed fire-control radar onto the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force's (JASDF) fighter jets in the airspace of the open sea southeast of Okinawa Island and Japan has lodged a strong protest with China.
The spokesperson pointed out that China's Liaoning aircraft carrier task group conducted far-sea training in waters east of the Miyako Strait, which is in full compliance with the international law and international practice. However, the Japanese side maliciously followed and harassed the Chinese aircraft carrier task group's actions, repeatedly sending aircraft to intrude into the exercise and training zones that China had demarcated and announced in advance. Afterward, they even falsely accused China's normal operations. This is nothing but a trick of "a-thief-crying-stop-thief" and making unfounded countercharge.
Recently, Japan has been escalating its reckless provocations in the military security field. What exactly is its intention? The whole world is well aware of it. If Japan repeats its wrong path of militarism, it will surely fall into an irredeemable abyss, stressed the spokesperson.
"We urge Japan to accurately assess the situation, genuinely reflect on and correct its mistakes, completely abandon any ill-conceived schemes, and refrain from further distancing itself from the Chinese people and the international community," reiterated the spokesperson.
记者：据报道，日本防卫省发布消息称，中国辽宁舰航母编队舰载机在冲绳本岛东南公海空域对日航空自卫队战机实施雷达照射，日方向中方提出强烈抗议。请问发言人有何评论？
张晓刚：中国辽宁舰航母编队在宫古海峡以东海域开展远海训练，符合国际法和国际实践。日方却对中方行动恶意跟监滋扰，多次派飞机冲闯中方划设公布的演训区，事后还反诬中方正常操作，纯属是贼喊捉贼、倒打一耙。我们对日方寻衅滋事、误导舆论表示强烈不满、坚决反对。
近来，日方在军事安全领域变本加厉地冒进滋事，究竟意欲何为？世人皆知。日方若重走军国主义邪路，必将坠入万劫不复深渊。我们敦促日方切实认清形势，切实反思纠错，彻底放弃任何不轨图谋，不要站到中国人民和国际社会对立面越走越远。
