China vows to resolutely contain any resurgence of Japanese militarism

A Chinese defense ministry spokesperson said that China will resolutely contain any resurgence of Japanese militarism, condemning the Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's latest remarks on China's Taiwan.

Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said at a news conference on Thursday that "right-wing forces in Japan have increasingly revealed their ambitions for remilitarization".

Since the current Japanese administration took office, Jiang said, Japan has taken frequent steps to expand its military capabilities and accelerate the loosening of long-standing restrictions on its military development.

He made the remarks while responding to a media inquiry about Japan's recent intensified military buildup.

"Under the pretext of strengthening so-called counterstrike capability, Japan has acquired offensive weapons and openly advocated nuclear armament," Jiang said.

These actions, he added, violate Japan's obligations under legally binding international documents such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, pose a serious threat to peace and stability in Asia and beyond, and have heightened vigilance among countries in the region and the wider international community.

"China will work with all peace-loving nations to resolutely contain the resurgence of the specter of militarism, and firmly safeguard the postwar international order, as well as international fairness and justice," Jiang said.

Jiang also condemned the Japanese side for repeatedly manipulating Taiwan-related issues and interfering in China's internal affairs, referring to Takaichi's recent comments that "Japan's alliance with the United States would collapse if Japan refrained from involvement in a conflict over Taiwan".

Instead of engaging in deep reflection on its serious historical responsibility, Japan is once again attempting to meddle in Taiwan affairs, which exposes the ambitions of right-wing forces in Japan to push for remilitarization and challenge the postwar international order, Jiang said.

He urged the Japanese side to draw lessons from history, abide by the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and appropriately.