A Chinese frigate did direct fire-control radar at a Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer on the high seas near the Senkaku Islands in January but the act was not planned, senior Chinese military officials said recently.
Admitting for the first time to Japan's allegation that weapons-targeting rather than monitoring radar was used, the officials, including flag officers, said an "emergency decision" had been made by the commander of the frigate.
Tensions have been riding high since September, when Japan effectively nationalized the islands, which China calls Diaoyu. Ships and planes from both sides have been antagonizing each other over the dispute ever since.