Japan is urged to act prudently on military and security matters, a Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesman said on Friday, in commenting on Japanese media reports that Japan will deploy F-35B stealth fighter jets purchased from the United States to its bases in the near future.
Some analyses suggest that the F-35B stealth fighter jets will later be carried on the Izumo class frigates, marking the first time for Japan to deploy carrier-based fighter jets since the end of World War II.
"In recent years, Japan has drastically increased defense budget, virtually converted warships into aircraft carriers, and developed offensive weapons such as long-range missiles, going further down the dangerous path of military buildup," said Jiang Bin, the spokesman, at a press conference in Beijing.
"The international community is increasingly aware of the scheme of the Japanese side to play word games in covering up its military expansion, and concerns are mounting about Japan's return to the evil path of militarism," Jiang said.
"We urge the Japanese side to honor its commitment to peaceful development, act prudently on military and security matters, and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the larger international community through concrete actions," said the spokesman.
Japan urged to act prudently on military, security matters: spokesman
