BEIJING, Dec. 13 -- "Japan has been hyping up the so-called 'China military threats', and this is a gimmick of disguising its dangerous move of following the beaten path of military expansion," said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at the press briefing on Friday morning.
It is reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba recently delivered a policy speech, saying that the international order is facing major challenges. In his words, Chinese aircraft carriers have navigated in the vicinity of Japan's territorial waters. Carrier-based aircraft have conducted approximately 1,200 takeoffs and landings in the Pacific. Japan, based on the National Security Strategy, will steadily advance the fundamental strengthening of Japan's defense capabilities.
"Japan has been hyping up the so-called 'China military threats'," Spokesperson Wu said, adding that such behavior is a familiar gimmick of disguising its dangerous moves of breaking the bindings of the Pacifist Constitution and following again the beaten path of military expansion.
The spokesperson stated that China and Japan have maintained communication through diplomatic and defense channels on issues related to maritime and aerial security, and there is absolutely no need for Japan to reach a state of hysteria and extreme nervousness. "The statistics released by Japan show exactly that Japan has been closely tracking, monitoring, and interfering with Chinese vessels and aircraft for a long time, jeopardizing the safety of Chinese vessels and aircraft and easily causing maritime and air security problems," the spokesperson slammed.
The spokesperson continued that in recent years, disregarding opposition from the international community, Japan has been going further down the path of military expansion and has caused greater concerns among neighboring countries and the international community. "We urge Japan to draw the lessons from history, stay prudent on military and security issues, and do more things that are conducive to regional peace and stability."
"China is willing to continue maintaining communication with Japan to properly address maritime and air emergencies. We hope that Japan will work with us in the same direction, take the overall situation into consideration, follow the right path, and jointly keep the maritime and air situation and the bilateral relationship stable," the spokesperson urged in the end.