BEIJING - China has voiced stern opposition to Japan's joint military exercise operations with "extraterritorial nations."

Yang Yujun, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, told a press conference on Thursday in Beijing, "We always sternly oppose Japan frequently wooing extraterritorial nations for joint military drills that only increase regional tensions."

Yang made the remarks in a reply to a question concerning a potential Japan-U.S. joint military exercise in Japan's Okinawa.

Japan's Kyodo News reported that Japan and the United States were considering a joint military drill to start in early November.

"We will keep a close eye on the development concerning the issue," Yang said.