China refutes Japan's protest at ADIZ over East China Sea

China refuted Japan's protest on Monday over China's newly established Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea, demanding Japan stop irresponsible words on the issue.

In Tokyo, Chinese ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua rejected protest lodged by Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki, saying the setup of ADIZ is a normal move in the world and accords with international laws and practices.

He said the ADIZ will not affect the freedom of flight over the East China Sea, and urged Japan to stop irresponsible and groundless entanglement.

In Beijing, Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang lodged representation with Japanese ambassador to China Kitera Masato over Tokyo's response to China's establishment of ADIZ on Saturday.

Zheng said that the ADIZ aims to defend China's national sovereignty and its territorial and airspace security, as well as safeguard the flight order over the East China Sea, stressing it conforms to the UN charter.

The official said that more than 20 countries, including Japan, have set up air defense identification zones since the 1950s.

"The Japanese side is not entitled to make irresponsible remarks and malicious accusations against China," Zheng said, urging Japan to immediately correct its mistake, stop any acts that create frictions and undermine regional stability, and avoid further damage to China-Japan relations.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said at a session of a Diet committee that Japan was seriously concerned over the " unilateral" setup of ADIZ and urged China to "retract the decision. "

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said Sunday that Japan has established its own ADIZ in the 1960s, therefore it has no right to make irresponsible remarks on China's setup of such zone over the East China Sea.

As to the disputed Diaoyu Islands which is included in the ADIZ, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang reiterated Monday that the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands are inherent parts of China's territory, adding China is firm in its resolve and will to safeguard sovereignty over the Diaoyu islands.

"We call on the Japanese side to stop all actions that undermine China's territorial sovereignty and make efforts to properly manage and solve the relevant issues through dialogue and negotiation," said Qin.

Tension between Tokyo and Beijing has heightened since September 2012 when Tokyo illegally "nationalized" Diaoyu islands by "purchasing" them from a private owner.