China slammed on Monday Japan’s decision to push ahead with a planned deployment of missiles on an island near Taiwan, escalating a weeks-long diplomatic spat.

Japanese media on Sunday quoted Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi as saying that the planned deployment of the missiles on Yonaguni island — which is close to Taiwan — was on track. “The deployment can reduce the possibility of an armed attack on Japan,” Koizumi said.

China‘s Foreign Ministry on Monday said Japan’s missile deployment was a “deliberate attempt to create regional tension and provoke military confrontation”.

“Coupled with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi‘s erroneous remarks on Taiwan, this trend is extremely dangerous and warrants high vigilance from neighboring countries and the international community,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters at a regular press briefing. (AFP)