BEIJING - A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman said Thursday that China has been closely following Japan's recent military moves on its westernmost outpost, a tropical island some 150 km from China's Diaoyu Islands.

Yang Yujun made the remarks at a monthly press briefing when commenting on Japan's breaking ground on a radar station on Yonaguni Island this month.

"The Chinese military will continue its patrols and military training in the areas concerned," Yang said.

In 2012, Tokyo moved unilaterally to "purchase" and "nationalize" the Diaoyu Islands, seriously straining China-Japan relations.