Chinese universities and think tanks are forming ties with Okinawa independence groups in a bid to divide public opinion in Japan, a Japanese government agency said in an annual report.

By deepening ties with independence activists on the subtropical islands that host the bulk of U.S. forces in Japan, China hopes to swing public opinion in its favor and spark a split within Japan, the Public Security Intelligence Agency said without elaborating. The agency also said in the report published last week that Japan must pay attention to Chinese activities with regard to Okinawa.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from China's foreign ministry.