Japan, China accuse each other of airspace 'violation'

Tokyo and Beijing exchanged diplomatic protests, each accusing the other of “violating” national airspace, after a Chinese helicopter and coast guard vessels faced off with a Japanese aircraft around disputed islands.

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The islands in the East China Sea -- known as the Diaoyu in China and Senkaku in Japan — are administered by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing and are a frequent hotspot in bilateral tensions.

China’s foreign ministry said in a statement Sunday it had lodged “solemn representations” with the Japanese embassy’s chief minister after “a civilian aircraft intruded into the airspace of the Diaoyu Islands”, calling it an “illegal infringement activity”.