China's Defense Ministry Urges Japan Not to Go Down the Path of Militarism

The Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan stated that China continues to increase its defense spending at a high level. Under a lack of transparency, China is broadly and rapidly strengthening its military forces.

Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin said that Japanese politicians’ hype about China’s defense budget and the so-called “China threat” is obviously the pot calling the kettle black. It is an excuse for Japan to expand its military capabilities and ambitions. He urged Japan to reflect on itself, stop distorting facts and smearing China, and not to walk further down the path of militarism.

Jiang Bin pointed out that China’s defense expenditure has long accounted for less than 1.5% of GDP, far below that of major military powers like the United States, and also below the global average and the NATO countries’ defense spending, which generally exceeds 2% of GDP. China’s defense spending is entirely necessary to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and to maintain world peace and stability. The stronger China’s military becomes, the more secure world peace will be.

Japan’s pursuit of re-militarization under the guise of invasion guilt

Jiang Bin said that Japan’s defense budget has increased for 14 consecutive years, with an increase of over 60% in the past five years. Japan is striving to break through the constraints of the “Pacifist Constitution,” far exceeding the scope of “solely self-defense,” developing and deploying offensive weapons, and seeking “re-militarization” under the pretext of unresolved invasion guilt. This is the real threat to regional peace and stability.

According to reports, the Philippine Coast Guard plans to strengthen patrols in the South China Sea and expand public outreach to continuously improve “transparency” and counter China’s bullying behavior. Jiang Bin stated that China will continue to take effective measures to respond to all infringements and provocations.

China’s undeniable sovereignty over Huangyan Island

Jiang Bin reiterated that China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea, including Huangyan Island, and the surrounding waters. China has sovereignty rights and jurisdiction over these areas. The Philippines, under the guise of patrols, bringing reporters, filming videos, and deliberately provoking trouble, cannot change the sovereignty of Huangyan Island and other reefs in the South China Sea, nor shake China’s firm resolve to defend its rights according to law.