China rips Japan over aircraft's intrusion

China on Sunday lodged a protest with Japan over the illegal entry of a Japanese civilian aircraft into the airspace over the Diaoyu Islands, warning Tokyo to cease provocative actions that could destabilize bilateral relations.

Liu Jinsong, director-general of the Asian Affairs Department of the Foreign Ministry, lodged solemn representations with Yokochi Akira, chief minister of the Japanese embassy in Beijing, regarding the intrusion by Japanese right-wing forces in a civilian aircraft.

Liu urged Tokyo to immediately cease such illegal and infringing activities and to take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents.