The Chinese weren’t happy with the conclusions of the latest Japanese defense white paper, saying China’s military is “strongly discontented and resolutely against” the accusations contained in the paper.

And those accusations?

(from Reuters) The defense ministry report said: “China has attempted to change the status quo by force based on its own assertion, which is incompatible with the existing order of international law,” echoing recent comments by Abe and his cabinet.

“China should accept and stick to the international norms.”

The takeaway is, as the NYTimes writes:

Experts said the strongly worded statements on both sides may be

a precursor to worsening dynamics between the two countries as

each tries to outmaneuver the other in the region and talk each

other down in diplomatic settings.