China says Japan defence review misleading, damages relations

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China has described Japan's annual defence review as misleading and malicious, saying it overplayed the "China military threat" and stoked tensions between the two East Asian powers, and stuck resolutely to its claims over a disputed island chain.

In a paper issued on Tuesday, Japan called on China to halt construction of oil and gas exploration platforms close to waters in the East China Sea claimed by both countries. Tokyo is concerned that Chinese drills could tap reservoirs that extend into Japan's territory.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the review ignored that China's maritime activities were carried out in line with international law, according to a statement posted on the Chinese foreign ministry's website late on Tuesday.

"The Diaoyu islands have belonged to China since ancient times ... China will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and Japan should not hold any unrealistic illusions," he said, referring to a disputed chain of islets, also known in Japanese as the Senkaku.

The defence review had expressed worries that the platforms being built by China could also be used as monitoring stations near the islets.

The report also commented on the disputed South China Sea, where Japan and other countries have criticised Chinese land reclamation projects as a threat to regional security.

"China's construction activities ... are entirely within the scope of its sovereignty, and neither impacts, nor is it directed at, any country," Lu said.

"We solemnly urge Japan to stop stoking tensions, provoking with contradictions and instead undertake more activities that are conducive to regional peace and stability."

(Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Paul Tait)