The Joint Staff of Japan reported that a Chinese destroyer was conducting live-fire exercises in the?waters to the southwest of Japan's remote?Island Okinotori early Sunday morning, while operating with Russian naval vessels. Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force spotted four vessels - a Chinese Renhai class guided-missile ship, a Luyang III class guided-missile ship, a Fuchi Class replenishment vessel and a Russian Steregushchiy Class frigate - sailing southwest about 330km (205miles) from Okinotori around 2:00 a.m. (1700 GMT, July 18), according to a Joint?Staff statement.

The Japanese military confirmed later?that the Chinese Luyang III class destroyer conducted live-fire exercises about 180 km southwest from the island, according to the statement.

The Joint Staff spokesperson said that this was the first time Japan has revealed China's live-fire exercises in its exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and added that these activities are not against international laws.

According to the statement, the vessels are the same ones that transited southward between?Okinawa’s main island Miyako Island in July.

The Japanese Defense Ministry stated that its destroyer monitored and gathered intelligence about the activities of the ships.

China disputes Japan's claim to the waters surrounding Okinotori as part of its EEZ. It argues that it is more a reef than an island.

China and Russia have increased joint naval and aerial operations around Japan in recent years. This has prompted Tokyo to increase its surveillance and strengthen its defences on the southwest island chain due to concerns about regional security. Reporting by Chang-Ran, Nobuhiro and Hina Kubo; Editing by Stephen Coates

(source: Reuters)