Canada and China are trading accusations over a mid-air incident involving their military aircraft.

Canadian media are reporting that the incident happened over international waters off the Chinese coast, but the Chinese Foreign Ministry says it was over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

Canadian media say a Chinese fighter jet came within 5 meters of a Canadian surveillance plane that was taking part in a UN operation to enforce sanctions against North Korea on Monday.

Reuters quoted Canadian defense minister Bill Blair as saying that the jet's behavior was dangerous, reckless and unacceptable.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters on Tuesday that the surveillance plane intruded into China's airspace and violated its sovereignty. Mao said Beijing lodged a protest with Ottawa.

She also criticized Canada for frequently conducting reconnaissance and provoking China in the name of implementing UN Security Council resolutions.

Japan controls the Senkaku Islands. China and Taiwan claim them.

The Japanese government maintains the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory, in terms of history and international law. It says there is no issue of sovereignty to be resolved over them.