By Sean O'hare PUBLISHED: 10:44 EST, 13 December 2012 | UPDATED: 14:46 EST, 13 December 2012 Japanese fighter jets were scrambled today after a Chinese plane was spotted over the disputed East China Sea Islands. The F-15s were sent to the remote islands which are controlled by Tokyo but claimed by Beijing as the territorial row between the two nations grows. It is the first time a Chinese aircraft has violated the airspace over the islands known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. The Chinese government said it was carrying out a routine operation but Japan issued a formal protest before sending up to six planes to the area.
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First time Chinese aircraft has 'violated airspace over disputed islands'
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China says it is merely carrying out a normal operation
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Japan has issued formal protest after sending six F15s to the area
'@placeholder requires the Japanese side stop illegal activities in the waters and airspace of the Diaoyu islands.'