Chinese submarines are free to navigate international waters, including the Northwest Pacific, which is also visited by maritime forces of other nations, a defence ministry official said Thursday.
Geng Yansheng, spokesman for the ministry of national defence, made the remarks in response to a question regarding Japanese media reports on China's Yuan-type submarines visiting Japan's contiguous zones, Xinhua reported.
He criticised the so-called "China Military Threat", as described by the Japanese media, as an act of "intentionally creating tension with an ulterior political motive".
"Such an act is irresponsible and not conducive to peace and stability in the region," the spokesman said.
