A Japanese media report accusing the Chinese navy of "ignoring" a requirement to inform Japanese counterparts of their presence in certain areas of the East China Sea was "not in accordance with the facts", a source within the Chinese Ministry of National Defense told China Daily on Tuesday.

Seven Chinese navy warships sailed through the Miyako Strait between Okinawa Island and Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture on Oct 4, according to the Kyodo News Agency, quoting the Japanese Defense Ministry.

The Chinese vessels were actually passing through international waters en route to the Pacific Ocean.