China concern over arms export move by Japan's ruling party

The Foreign Ministry voiced serious concern after Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party approved a national security proposal on Wednesday for allowing the export of weapons.

Among a set of national security proposals approved by the LDP on Wednesday was one to, in principle, allow the export of military equipment such as fighter jets and destroyers as Tokyo moves to ease restrictions on weapons transfers, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported.

The approval came at a meeting of the party's research commission on security, with the proposals to be submitted to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government as soon as early next month.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said: "We have taken note of the relevant reports and express serious concern."

"The international community should remain highly vigilant, join hands to defend the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order, and resolutely resist the recklessness of Japan's new militarism," she said.

Mao added that, in recent years, Japan has significantly adjusted its security policies, while Japanese officials have openly advocated for nuclear armament, seeking to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and lift restrictions on weapons exports.

This "once again reveals the ambition of Japan's right-wing forces to break through the constraints of the post-war international order and domestic law, and pursue remilitarization," she said.