This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21347915

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Japan PM hits out at China 'dangerous' radar act Japan-China islands dispute: Abe condemns radar lock
(about 9 hours later)
Japan's prime minister has called the decision by a Chinese frigate to put a radar lock on a Japanese navy ship a "dangerous act".Japan's prime minister has called the decision by a Chinese frigate to put a radar lock on a Japanese navy ship a "dangerous act".
Shinzo Abe told parliament the move could have led to an "unpredictable situation" and called for Chinese "self-restraint".Shinzo Abe told parliament the move could have led to an "unpredictable situation" and called for Chinese "self-restraint".
The incident happened near disputed East China Sea islands last week.The incident happened near disputed East China Sea islands last week.
The Chinese foreign ministry said it was not aware of the details, but said Japan should stop "illegal" activities.
"In recent days, Japan has on many occasions deployed aircraft and ships and illegally entered Chinese waters around the Diaoyu Islands," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
"China has made representations on many occasions and requested Japan stop its illegal activities."
The US has voiced concern over the incident, which comes with ties between Beijing and Tokyo severely strained.The US has voiced concern over the incident, which comes with ties between Beijing and Tokyo severely strained.
'Dangerous situation'
Mr Abe called on China to avoid an "unnecessary escalation" in the territorial row, which centres on a chain of islands that both claim.Mr Abe called on China to avoid an "unnecessary escalation" in the territorial row, which centres on a chain of islands that both claim.
"At a time when it seemed there are signs of improvement towards increasing talks between Japan and China, having this sort of one-sided provocative action taken by the Chinese is extremely regrettable," he said."At a time when it seemed there are signs of improvement towards increasing talks between Japan and China, having this sort of one-sided provocative action taken by the Chinese is extremely regrettable," he said.
Japan controls the islands, which it calls the Senkaku islands, while China calls them the Diaoyu islands. Taiwan also claims the island chain, known as Diaoyutai in Taipei.Japan controls the islands, which it calls the Senkaku islands, while China calls them the Diaoyu islands. Taiwan also claims the island chain, known as Diaoyutai in Taipei.
The row over their ownership has rumbled for years but reignited in September 2012 when the Japanese government purchased three of them from their private Japanese owner. The row over their ownership has rumbled on for years but reignited in September 2012 when the Japanese government purchased three of them from their private Japanese owner.
Since then, Chinese government vessels have been sailing in and out of what Japan says are its territorial waters, prompting warnings from Tokyo and raising concerns over a clash.Since then, Chinese government vessels have been sailing in and out of what Japan says are its territorial waters, prompting warnings from Tokyo and raising concerns over a clash.
On Tuesday, Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said a Chinese navy frigate had locked its weapon-targeting radar on a Japanese navy ship on 30 January, prompting Tokyo to protest to Beijing.On Tuesday, Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said a Chinese navy frigate had locked its weapon-targeting radar on a Japanese navy ship on 30 January, prompting Tokyo to protest to Beijing.
He said a Japanese military helicopter was also targeted with a similar type of radar by another Chinese frigate on 19 January.He said a Japanese military helicopter was also targeted with a similar type of radar by another Chinese frigate on 19 January.
"Directing such radar is very abnormal. We recognise it would create a very dangerous situation if a single mis-step occurred," he said."Directing such radar is very abnormal. We recognise it would create a very dangerous situation if a single mis-step occurred," he said.
There has been no formal comment from Beijing yet on the incident, but the US warned that the row threatened regional stability. The US warned that the row threatened regional stability.
"With regard to the reports of this particular lock-on incident, actions such as this escalate tensions and increase the risk of an incident or a miscalculation, and they could undermine peace, stability and economic growth in this vital region," US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said."With regard to the reports of this particular lock-on incident, actions such as this escalate tensions and increase the risk of an incident or a miscalculation, and they could undermine peace, stability and economic growth in this vital region," US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.