China has accused Japan of creating tensions and seeking to tarnish its image after Tokyo said a Chinese frigate locked its radar on a Japanese warship.

Asked to respond to Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera's description of the incident as a "threat of force," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said it was Japan that was provoking tension.

"The problem is not China showing strength, but Japan continuously sending its ships and aircraft into the waters and airspace around the Diaoyu Islands to carry out illegal activities, damaging and infringing upon China territorial sovereignty," she said.

"Recently, Japan has been intentionally stirring up a crisis and causing tensions, blackening China's image. This is diametrically the opposite of efforts to improve relations."

Hua reiterated that China wishes to solve and manage problems through talks.

"China hopes Japan can face up to reality and history and make concerted efforts with China," she said.

Hua said China had always acted to maintain peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region, calling on relevant parties to work with China to protect the overall regional situation.

Onodera said yesterday that China's use of the radar could be seen a threat of military force under United Nations rules, but urged dialogue to prevent such incidents happening again.

The minister reiterated that there was a need to establish a communication channel to discuss maritime issues.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke in a similar vein, repeating that the incident was regrettable but stressing that maintaining dialogue with China was important.

Abe said the "window of dialogue" with China must remain open.

He said the incident was "extremely regrettable," amid growing tension over the Diaoyu Islands.

"But we will not close the window of dialogue. This is most important," Abe said. "I would like China to return to a more open attitude toward our strategic partnership."

Abe on Wednesday had described the radar incident as "dangerous" and "provocative."

Onodera told the Japanese parliament the radar lock amounted to a "threat of force" but called for some mechanism to allow defense authorities to communicate with each other.

"We think this is a threat of force, as defined in the UN Charter," Onodera said.

"But what is most important is to prevent incidents like this from recurring in the future," he said. "I also think it is necessary for Japan and China to have a means of consultation on maritime safety issues."

Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of the New Komeito party which is Abe's coalition ally, called for a Japan-China summit by August 12, the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty.

"Avoiding contingencies and pushing for big-picture ties is the duty of the two countries' political leaders," said Yamaguchi, who delivered a letter from Abe to Chinese leader Xi Jinping last month.