Japan creating tensions over Diaoyu spat: FM

China's foreign ministry Thursday accused Japan of creating tension and tarnishing China's image, in response to Japan's allegation that a Chinese frigate's use of fire-control radar to lock on to a Japanese vessel in the East China Sea amounted to a "threat of force."

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily press briefing that Chinese authorities are verifying and investigating the incident.

China's defense ministry has yet to comment on Japan's complaint about the incident.

Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Tuesday that the incident, which he said occurred on January 30 but took time to confirm, could have become very dangerous very quickly.

Hua said that it was actually Japan that was provoking tensions over the disputed Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, and that Tokyo's efforts to ratchet up tension run against efforts to improve Sino-Japanese ties.

"The problem at present is not China showing strength, but Japan continuously sending its ships and aircraft into the waters and airspace around the Diaoyu Islands to carry out illegal activities, damaging and infringing upon China's territorial sovereignty," she said.

"Recently, Japan has been intentionally stirring up a crisis and causing tensions, blackening China's image. This is diametrically the opposite of efforts to improve relations," Hua said.

"I want to point out that China has not changed its stance of developing relations on the basis of principles enshrined in the four bilateral political documents," she said, reiterating that China wishes to solve and manage problems through talks.

"China hopes Japan can face up to reality and history and make concerted efforts with China," she said.

Onodera said on Thursday China's use of the radar could be seen as a threat of military force under UN rules, but urged dialogue to prevent such incidents from happening again.

The minister reiterated that there was a need to establish a communication channel to discuss maritime issues.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke in a similar vein, repeating that the incident was regrettable but stressing that maintaining dialogue with China was important.

In Washington, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday urged China to avoid confrontation and seek peaceful dialogue with Japan and other countries over territorial disputes.

Relations between Japan and China have soured since the Japanese government said it would "purchase" part of the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea in 2012. China insists that the islands are part of its inherent territory.