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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Beijing, December 10 (Xinhua) — China calls on all peace-loving countries to exercise vigilance and suppress any dangerous attempts to revive Japanese militarism, while jointly upholding the high-priority victory in World War II, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.
The Chinese diplomat made the statement at a regular press briefing, commenting on recent reports in some foreign media outlets that Japan is transforming from a pacifist country into a military power and is attempting to revive militarism, which poses a threat to peace and stability in the region and the world as a whole and deserves vigilance.
Guo Jiakun stated that Japan has been significantly adjusting its security and defense policies in recent years, accelerating the revision of its peace constitution, violating the principle of a "defensive policy exclusively," has already lifted the ban on exercising the right to collective self-defense, is easing restrictions on arms exports, intends to revise the "three non-nuclear principles," and is developing the so-called "capacity to strike enemy bases."
As a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted, Japanese high-ranking officials have even openly stated that Japan is not ruling out the possibility of acquiring nuclear submarines. He added that such actions have already raised considerable concern among neighboring countries and the international community.
"We've noticed that Japan has been increasing its defense spending for 13 consecutive years, ranking second among Western countries. According to a European think tank, the revenues of Japan's five largest military-industrial companies will grow by 40 percent year-on-year in 2024," Guo Jiakun noted.
"How can a country that operates under the guise of a 'peace constitution,' shouts slogans about 'rethinking war,' and declares that it is following a 'purely defensive policy' explain its steps to build up its military power and expand its arsenal of weapons?" the Chinese diplomat asked.
In fact, Guo Jiakun continued, after World War II, the Japanese government never fully reconsidered Japan's war of conquest. Numerous war criminals returned to active political life and the Japan Self-Defense Forces; numerous prime ministers and other high-ranking politicians persistently visited Yasukuni Shrine, where Category A war criminals from World War II were venerated; and the historical facts of the aggression were downplayed and embellished through textbook revisions and other means.
"Japanese right-wing forces have indeed 'rethought' their wartime past. However, they haven't 'rethought' Japan's war crimes, but the reasons for its defeat," Guo Jiakun stated.
According to the official representative of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese militarism has never been completely eradicated; it constantly shows signs of life and seeks revenge.
Guo Jiakun noted that the international community must remind Japan that, according to Articles 6, 7, 9, and 11 of the 1945 Potsdam Declaration, Japanese militarism and its fertile soil must be mercilessly eradicated. Only by limiting Japan's right to declare war politically and legally, and by eliminating the ideological roots of Japanese belligerence, can a new order of peace, security, and justice be established.
Guo Jiakun pointed out that the Potsdam Declaration also required Japan to completely disarm and not retain industries that would allow it to rearm for war, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender contained an obligation to faithfully implement the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration.
These documents, recognized by Japan and having international legal force, clearly defined Japan's international obligations as a defeated country, became an important cornerstone of the post-war international order, and served as the political and legal prerequisite for Japan's return to the international community, the Chinese diplomat emphasized.
"Japan's accelerated military buildup and expansion of its weapons arsenal in an attempt at renewed militarization will only raise further doubts about the country's direction and lead to the international community presenting a new bill for its historical crimes. China calls on all peace-loving countries to exercise vigilance and suppress any dangerous attempts to revive Japanese militarism, while jointly upholding the results of the victory in World War II, for which such a high price was paid," concluded Guo Jiakun.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.