TOKYO - Japanese convenience store chain Lawson Inc will expand its business in China by increasing the number of its stores as planned despite recent tensions between the two countries, said company president Takeshi Niinami on Wednesday.

Niinami said the number of customers in China has not dropped drastically, and the company aims to expand its business there by hiring Chinese nationals locally, adding that "the situation is a lot calmer now."

Lawson had 393 stores in China as of Aug 31 this year, and Niinami said the company will follow its plan to increase the number to 10,000 by 2020.