The Chinese government has denounced Japan for escalating regional tensions by increasing its fighter jet scrambles to monitor Chinese aircraft flying near the territorially disputed Diaoyu islands.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hwa Chungying said in a regular briefing that China is well aware that Japan has continuously provoked and escalated tensions over the Diaoyus.

Earlier, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces announced that it will dispatch fighter jets in response to increased patrols by Chinese aircraft.

Hwa pointed out that instead of sending more planes, what Japan needs to do is to “show sincerity and action and talk with China."