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.