Japan summons China Ambassador

Japan's Foreign Ministry has summoned the Chinese ambassador to lodge a protest against China's denial of the recent radar lock-on incident. Japanese government announced on Wednesday that a Chinese naval frigate targeted fire control radar at a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer in the East China Sea on January 30th.But the Chinese Foreign Ministry told the Japanese Embassy in Beijing on Thursday that the announcement does not match what actually occurred.

Vice Foreign Minister Chikao Kawai told Chinese Ambassador Cheng Yonghua on Friday that Japan cannot accept China's denial of the incident.He said Japan's announcement is based on full data analysis and confirmation by Self-Defense Force officials.Kawai urged China to reinvestigate the case and to take steps to prevent a recurrence.

Ambassador Cheng is said to have responded that the Chinese ship was monitoring the area using a different type of radar, and not one that targets weapons.He said he will convey the protest to the Chinese overnment.

The ambassador, however, is said to have shown a positive stance toward Kawai's proposal that Japan and China should promptly set up a hotline to prevent unpredictable consequences.Media agencies