Japan says China's military drills around Taiwan 'increase tensions'

Japan on Wednesday said that China's military exercises around Taiwan "increase tensions" across the Taiwan Strait, and that it had expressed its "concerns" to Beijing.



Foreign ministry press secretary Toshihiro Kitamura said that It has been the consistent position of the Government of Japan that it expects that the issue surrounding Taiwan will be resolved peacefully through dialogue

.

Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are important for the international community as a whole.



China's drills this week involved dozens of fighter aircraft and navy vessels conducting live-fire drills, simulating a blockade of Taiwan's key ports and assaults on maritime targets.



China claims Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and has refused to rule out military action to seize the island democracy.



Japan's relations with China have worsened sharply in recent weeks after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any Chinese attack on Taiwan.