China has expressed anger at American and Japanese objections to its creation of an "air defence identification zone" over an area of the East China Sea.
The zone covers disputed islands which are claimed and controlled by Japan. China says aircraft entering the zone must obey its rules, the BBC reports.
United States Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called the move a destabilising attempt to alter the status quo in the region, saying it increases the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculations.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe described the move as a profoundly dangerous act.
But Yang Yujun, a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defence, said Japan's reaction was "absolutely groundless and unacceptable".
"We strongly require the Japanese side to stop all moves that undermine China's territorial sovereignty as well as irresponsible remarks that misguide international opinions and create regional tensions," Mr Yang said.
He also demanded that the US "earnestly respect China's national security [and] stop making irresponsible remarks for China's setup of the East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone".
