China's Defense Ministry says the Chinese military plane that flew through international airspace near Okinawa was on a routine training mission.

 

　　A Chinese military aircraft flew across the first island chain to the West Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, prompting Japan to scramble fighter jets.

 

　　Chinese defense ministry spokesperson Geng Yansheng.

 

　　"It was not targeted on any specific country or target, and it accorded with the international law and international practices. China has the legitimate right to fly freely over relevant sea areas. Besides, it's not the first time that Chinese military aircraft flew to the West Pacific Ocean. We conducted many trainings in the West Pacific Ocean before."

 

　　The Japanese side says it scrambled its fighter jets as a precaution against intensified maritime activities from the Chinese side.

 

　　The incident comes amid the continued tensions over the Diaoyu Islands.