TOKYO - Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani Friday asked China to give a "clearer and more convincing" explanation of its recent deployment of anti-aircraft missiles on an island in the disputed South China Sea.
Japan has confirmed the deployment, undertaken last week in Woody Island, through satellite images of the island and other sources, Nakatani told the press, public broadcaster NHK reported.
The minister also restated Tokyo's opposition to "unilateral actions to change the status quo" in the region, such as the construction of outposts and their use for military purposes, and stressed the unanimous concern of the international community about such actions.
Tokyo continues to collect information about Chinese activities in the South China Sea after the missile deployment, and feels the action will escalate tension in the region.
The defense minister also recalled Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks about not militarizing the South China Sea during his visit to Washington in September last year.
The Paracel archipelago is controlled by China, however Taiwan and Vietnam stake claims of sovereignty over it.
The South China Sea region has witnessed escalated tensions since last year after it was revealed that Beijing has built military installations in islets and reefs in the Spratly Islands, partially controlled by China, the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia.
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