Japan's defence minister has said China's unilateral air defence identification zone (Adiz) in the East China Sea raises regional tensions and the international community must oppose any move to establish a similar zone in the South China Sea.

Itsunori Onodera was speaking after meeting his Philippines counterpart, Voltaire Gazmin, where they had discussed reports that China is considering establishing a similar zone in the South China Sea.

China's ambassador to the Philippines, Ma Keqing, said it was China's right to decide "where and when to set up" an Adiz.