China has accused Japan of using regional security cooperation and its “free and open Indo-Pacific” strategy as a cover for military expansion, warning that Tokyo’s actions threaten regional peace and stability, according to state-run media.
Regarding the recent visits by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Australia and Vietnam aimed at strengthening security ties, Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin accused Tokyo of promoting bloc confrontation, Global Times reported on Saturday.
“Under the pretexts of the so-called ‘free and open Indo-Pacific’ and ‘security cooperation,’ governing authorities in Japan are instigating bloc confrontation and building ‘small circles,’ ” he said, adding: “This undermines the strategic security and interests of other countries, and serves as an excuse for Japan to break free from the restrictions on its military development, which we firmly oppose.”
Jiang also criticised calls within Japan to revise the country’s post-war pacifist constitution, and said such moves reflected a shift from “covert military buildup to overt war preparation.”
He warned that what Beijing described as rising “neo-militarism” in Japan posed an increasing threat to peace in Asia.
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The Chinese official also referred to the legacy of World War II, noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trials, which prosecuted Japanese wartime leaders after the war.
