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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 16 (Xinhua) — Japan, as a country burdened by an aggressive past, has no right to comment on China's defense spending, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday.
Guo Jiakun made the statement in response to Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's comments on China's military spending.
"The Japanese side made groundless accusations and malicious attacks on China's legitimate defense construction, demonstrating a disgusting and shameful attitude," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
Noting that China has the best record of peace and security among major powers, Guo Jiakun noted that increasing China's defense spending is reasonable and legitimate. China must address security challenges, uphold its legitimate national interests, and better fulfill its international responsibilities and obligations as a major power, the Chinese diplomat emphasized.
Japan, as a country burdened by an aggressive past, has no right to make such irresponsible statements, he pointed out.
According to Guo Jiakun, Japan's aggressive history, with countless crimes, has led to its military and security actions constantly attracting the attention of neighboring Asian countries and the international community. In fiscal year 2025, Japan's per capita defense expenditure and per service member expenditure were three times and more than twice that of China, respectively.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted that Japan has been significantly adjusting its security and defense policies in recent years, increasing defense spending for 13 consecutive years, increasing it by approximately 60 percent over the past five. Japan has also lifted restrictions on exercising its right to collective self-defense, is developing its so-called base-attack capability, is reviewing its arms export principles, is strengthening cooperation on extended deterrence, and intends to revise the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles."
Japan claims to be pursuing a “purely defensive policy” and a “passive defense” strategy, Guo Jiakun continued, but in reality it is violating its obligations as a defeated country, clearly laid out in the Cairo and Potsdam Declarations, and is retreating from the commitments enshrined in the Japanese Constitution.
"Who is actually building up their military might and expanding their weapons arsenal? Who is trying to use military force to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and challenge their fundamental interests? Who is threatening peace and stability in the region? The facts are clear to everyone," Guo Jiakun stated.
Japan's attempts to accelerate new militarization will only raise further doubts about the country's direction, warned a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, adding that all peace-loving countries must remain vigilant and suppress any dangerous attempts to revive Japanese militarism, while jointly defending the results of the victory in World War II, for which such a high price was paid.
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