China’s Ministry of National Defense on Saturday expressed strong opposition to the Japan government, which described China as an “unprecedented and biggest strategic challenge” in a white paper released on Friday. The spokesman noted that it is Japan that is moving further down the path of military expansion, posing a serious threat to regional and global peace, security and stability.
The 2023 Defense White Paper, approved by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s cabinet, stepped up its harsh language against China, warning that Japan faces the “toughest and most complex security environment since the end of World War II” as it plans to implement a new strategy. this requires a large military build-up, the media reported.
He argues that China’s external posture and military activities have become “a serious problem for Japan and the international community, and have presented an unprecedented and greatest strategic challenge.”
The white paper is the first since the Japanese government adopted a controversial new national security strategy in December that is seen as a departure from Japan’s postwar policy of limiting the use of force in self-defense, the AP reported.
Tan Kefei, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said Japan new defense white paper clung to its misperception of China, deliberately exaggerated the so-called Chinese military threat and smeared China’s legitimate defense and military activities.
It also grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs and inflames regional tensions, for which the ministry strongly advocated for the Japanese side.
China’s military has always been a steadfast force in upholding world peace and stability, never challenging or threatening anyone, Tan said.
On the contrary, in recent years, Japan has been constantly violating the restrictions of its “peace constitution” and the principle of “exclusively defense-oriented policy”, substantially increasing defense spending, promoting the development of so-called counter-attack capabilities, and pushing its way. military expansion. By aligning itself with certain major powers and creating targeted “exclusion circles”, Japan poses serious challenges to regional and global peace, security and stability, the spokesman noted.
Responding to the white paper, which claims Beijing is “reinforcing its unilateral changes to the status quo by force and similar attempts in the East China Sea and South China Sea,” Tan said China is a staunch defender and builder of international maritime transport. rule of law and maintains a consistent and clear position on maritime issues. On the other hand, some countries, driven by self-interest, often send warships and aircraft to the relevant waters to flaunt their military prowess, seriously aggravating regional tensions.
On the issue of Taiwan, which is also hyped by the white paper that the military balance between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan is rapidly tipping in favor of the former, the defense spokesman said the one-China principle is the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations. is the untouchable bottom line.
Japan bears a serious historical responsibility for the Taiwan issue, but instead of reflecting on its actions, it has persistently interfered in China’s internal affairs, undermined the political foundation of bilateral ties, and intensified tensions in the Taiwan Strait. These actions are “very wrong and dangerous,” Tan warned.
He urged the Japanese side to abandon its zero-sum and confrontational mindset and promote a correct understanding of China. It is essential to honor commitments on important issues such as Taiwan and act prudently on military security.
China’s Foreign Ministry also responded to the matter on Friday, warning that given Japan’s history of militaristic aggression over the past century, Japan’s military and security moves have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community.
Calls on Japan, which has raised intense concerns about whether it will continue to pursue a path of peaceful development, to seriously respect the security concerns of neighboring countries, reflect deeply on its history of aggression, stop looking for pretexts for rearmament, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the wider international community through specific actions.
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