China has called on Japan to match its words with deeds and make concrete efforts to improve Sino-Japanese relations.

Earlier this week, the Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida delivered a speech on Sino-Japanese relations, making positive comments about improving and developing relations in the future. Issues like China's military growth and maritime activities also figured in the speech.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying responded to Kishida's speech, saying Japan should follow its words and stop finding fault with China.

"We have taken notice of the positive messages in the speech by Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida. We hope that Japan will be able to match its words with its actions and make concrete efforts to improve and develop bilateral relations with China. However, we regret to see that Japan continues making carping comments on China. "

She said China is sticking to a path of peaceful development and is pursuing a defense policy that is defensive in nature, and that China's strategic intentions are transparent.

The spokesperson pointed out that China's activities in the East China Sea and South China Sea are justified and legitimate.

She added that Japan, as a country outside the region, should stop meddling in the South China Sea issue.