BEIJING, April 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said here Wednesday that Japan has come up with a provocation to China's rights and the norm of international relations by starting to grant Japanese firms the right to conduct test drilling for potential gas and oil fields in the East China Sea.

    In response to a question from local press, Qin said China has already lodged protest on this issue to the Japanese side and will retain the right to make further reaction.

    The Japanese government on Wednesday initiated procedures to grant Japanese firms the right to conduct test drilling for potential gas and oil fields in the East China Sea, Japanese press reported. Enditem