Japan summons China envoy over radar-lock denial

Tokyo, Feb 8 (AFP) Japan summoned the Chinese ambassador to Tokyo over Beijing's denial that one of its ships had locked a weapons-targeting radar on a Japanese naval vessel, the foreign ministry said today. "Vice Foreign minister Chikao Kawai summoned Ambassador Cheng Yonghua and again lodged a stern protest," an official statement said, adding Kawai "told the ambassador that the Chinese explanation is totally unacceptable". The Vice Foreign minister expressed regret over how China has handled the issue and called for Beijing to "sincerely fulfil its responsibility for an explanation" and take measures to prevent similar incidents, the statement said. The Chinese ambassador repeated Beijing's position that Japan's claim was not based on facts but agreed the two sides need to prevent any contingencies, the statement said. (AFP) SAP 02081721 NNNN