China has expressed its strong opposition against a joint training exercise between the militaries of Japan and the United States near Okinawa Island in early November.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said in a monthly press conference on Thursday that it sternly opposes Japan’s acts of raising tensions in Northeast Asia by teaming up with a country from outside the region for a military training exercise.

He added that the Chinese government will keep a close eye on the issue, and he hopes Japan corrects its wrongdoings.

China and Japan’s defense authorities had agreed in June to establish a marine communication system within this year but recently decided to postpone the plan.