Chen Qinghong, a researcher on Southeast Asian studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said, "At present, there is no pressing necessity to set up an ADIZ in the South China Sea.

"The regional situation has greatly improved since last year, when President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang visited some Southeast Asian countries," he said.

During Li's trip, Brunei and Vietnam announced they would jointly develop parts of the South China Sea with China, a move that experts hailed as a "breakthrough" in settling territorial disputes in the waters.

Chen also said that the Chinese leaders made a series of sincere proposals to deepen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, such as establishing a fund for maritime cooperation, building the "maritime Silk Road" and developing a maritime partnership.

As for the report of China's alleged draft plans to set up an ADIZ over the South China Sea, Chen said that Beijing has never said it has such plans, and the report "was concocted by the Japanese media".

"Japan is trying to divert international attention and vie for support to reverse the unfavorable situation it is facing over the East China Sea," he said.

In another move, China and ASEAN are to hold the next round of meetings of senior officials in Singapore next month to discuss the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, Chen said.

The only problem is that the Philippines and Japan are still escalating tensions in the region, he said.

The Defense Ministry's Yang warned on Thursday that Japan's right-wing forces are attempting to change the outcome of World War II and the postwar international order.

He warned the international community to be on high alert, and vowed that the Chinese military will "never allow a repeat of the tragedy in history".

Contact the writer at lixiaokun@chinadaily.com.cn