This latest war of the words between the two neighbours was brought about by China’s 26 August announcement it was constructing a 470 km undersea pipeline to connect its offshore Chunxiao gas field to the mainland; a move Japan construes breaches its Exclusive Economic Zone, which China does not recognise.

In a statement Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said, “According to my grasp of the situation, the Chinese side is carrying out some prospecting in the East China Sea area, and it is totally in the ocean near China, so in light of this situation, for the Japanese side, on its own, to suggest its claim to a median line and its request to provide informational material makes no sense whatsoever.”

“Japan unilaterally established the median line, never consulting China, so its claim is not valid. Japan has no right to request information about it. So I must solemnly point out here that we will never accept this median line.

“China, [however], hopes to negotiate with Japan over the gas fields. [My] government has previously suggested shelving differences with joint exploration of the area [and] both sides should begin peaceful negotiations on a basis of equality and mutual respect to avoid escalating the problem. A safe and stable East China Sea is good to both sides,” added Kong