China has blasted Japan over its 'provocative' actions in the East China Sea. The Chinese Defense Ministry on Monday accused Tokyo of provocative behavior after two Japanese warplanes allegedly approached Chinese fighter jets over the East China Sea.

"Two Japanese fighter jets took provocative actions at high speed flying directly towards a pair of Chinese fighter jets that were carrying out patrols over the contested region on June 17," the ministry said in a statement. "The Japanese plane's provocative actions caused an accident in the air, endangering the safety of personnel on both side, and destroying the peace and stability in the region."

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Japan, on the other hand, has denied the accusations by China. "The Japanese jets have never taken any of the provocative actions as claimed by China's defense ministry," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Hagiuda told reporters on Tuesday. Toyka, however, acknowledged that a scramble took place. However, he denied that it was not a provocative act.

Last week, Beijing also accused Japan of stirring up the South China Sea dispute. The Chinese Foreign Ministry claimed that Toyko is deliberately provoking confrontation among South China Sea countries. Japan's ambassador to United Nations, Koro Bessho, on Friday, hinted that the United Nations Security Council might take up South China Sea issue if there is a request from a member state.

Meanwhile, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration has announced that it would issue a final ruling on the South China Sea case between the Philippine and China on July 22. Beijing has said that it does not recognize the jurisdiction of the international tribunal over the disputed region. 

Tagschina, Japan, Provocative actions, Fighter Jets, East Asia Sea