The Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong conduct a dual-carrier formation exercise in the South China Sea in October 2024. (Photo by Xinhua)

A spokesman for the Chinese People`s Liberation Army (PLA) has sharply criticized Japan, urging Tokyo to cease its "slanderous actions."

Wang Xuemeng stated on Sunday that Japan`s "slanderous and defamatory" accusations regarding the activities of the Chinese Navy`s Liaoning aircraft carrier group are escalating regional tensions.

He demanded that Japan "immediately cease its slanderous acts" and "strictly discipline its front-line operations."

The Liaoning carrier group was conducting carrier-based fighter jet training in designated sea and air areas east of the Miyako Strait when tensions escalated, despite prior announcements of training zones.

Wang asserted that the Liaoning carrier group was engaged in "normal" flight training in international waters.

He stated that Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft had "repeatedly approached and disrupted" PLA Navy operations, posing a significant threat to flight safety.

He urged Japan to stop its smear tactics, accusing its military aircraft of interfering with Chinese training drills east of the Miyako Strait.

Wang emphasized that the Chinese Navy would take necessary legal measures to protect its security and interests, saying that Japan`s accusations were "completely inconsistent with the facts."

In response, Japan accused Chinese fighter jets of directing fire-control radar at its military aircraft during two "dangerous" encounters on Saturday - an allegation Beijing firmly denied.

Tokyo reported lodging a formal protest with Beijing. These incidents come amid a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding potential military intervention by China in Taiwan.

In the meantime, Japan`s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called the incidents "regrettable."

In a posting on X, Koizumi said the Chinese drills posed an unacceptable risk to aviation safety in the region.

Koizumi claimed in a meeting with his visiting Australian counterpart that Japan would take countermeasures to ensure regional peace and stability.