China's Defense Ministry urged Japan to exercise caution in its words and actions regarding military security and to take steps to contribute to regional peace and stability, a military spokesperson said on Friday.
Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang made the comments during an online news conference in response to reports that Japan's Defense Ministry had publicly disclosed for the first time the development of a new ballistic missile with a range of 3,000 kilometers, which far exceeds the scope of Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy.
Zhang said, "In recent years, Japan has repeatedly breached the constraints of its pacifist constitution and has been moving further down the path of military expansion, which is dangerous and unpopular."
"History serves as a warning not far off," he added, noting that Japanese militarism once caused unspeakable disasters for the people of Japan, Asia, and the world.
Zhang also pointed out that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and he emphasized that China demands Japan deeply learn from historical lessons.
He urged Japan to be cautious in its military security actions and to do more to contribute to regional peace and stability, thereby earning the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions.
