China has justified its recent oil and gas exploration activities in disputed East China Sea. 

The Chinese foreign ministry on Thursday rejected Japanese government's objection over its maritime exploration activities in the contested waters. 

Beijing also made it clear that it will not halt exploration works in the region as it comes under country's "indisputable jurisdiction."  

Like Us on Facebook

"All relevant oil and gas exploration activities by the Chinese side take place in waters under indisputable jurisdiction of China, fall completely within China's sovereign rights and jurisdiction," ministry's spokesperson Geng Shuang said in his regular press briefing in Beijing.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Japanese government raised objections towards the resumption of China's controversial mineral exploration program in the disputed region. 

"It is extremely regrettable that China is proceeding with unilateral development in the area while the boundary between Japan and China in the East China Sea is not yet fixed, despite repeated protests," Japanese cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters.

Suga claimed he has noticed flares coming out from two of China's 16 above water exploration platforms in the East China Sea earlier this month. Tokyo also lodged an official protest to China in this regard.  

The two Asian powers have been engaged in a bitter territorial dispute over a group of islands, including Senkaku island in the East China Sea. Japan recently warned Beijing against aggression in the region saying that it is determined to defend its territory, in case of any provocative action from Chinese side. 

Tagschina, Japan, East China Sea, Exploration, Senkaku Islands