Japan's defence review accuses China of pushing territorial claims during Covid-19 pandemic

A P-3C patrol plane of Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force flying over the disputed islets known as the Senkaku islands in Japan and Diaoyu islands in China, in the East China Sea in this file photo taken on Oct 13, 2011. - AFP

TOKYO (Reuters): Japan's annual defence review accuses China of pushing its territorial claims amid the coronavirus pandemic and suspects Beijing of spreading propaganda and disinformation as it provides medical aid to nations fighting Covid-19.

China "is continuing to attempt to alter the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea," Japan said in the defence white paper approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government on Tuesday (July 14).