Japan will only provoke widespread outrage should it go down the wrong path, said a spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense on Friday.
Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, the spokesman, made the statement at a press conference in Beijing when being asked to comment on the reports revealing that the Japanese government recently approved a supplementary budget proposal for fiscal year 2025, increasing its total defense expenditure to 11 trillion yen and achieving the goal of defense spending accounting for 2 percent of GDP ahead of schedule.
In addition, the Japanese side is in negotiations with the Philippine side on the export of Japan Self-Defense Force's Type 03 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile system.
"In recent years, Japan has repeatedly breached its commitments under the pacifist Constitution, substantially increased its defense budget, pushed for the export of lethal weapons, and sought to revise its Three Non-Nuclear Principles. As it is quickening the pace of loosening restrictions on military development, Japan's militarism is poised to make a comeback. As the Chinese saying goes, 'Individuals can't establish themselves if they are not trustworthy, just as a nation can't thrive if it is not credible.' We urge the Japanese side to fully meet its obligations as a defeated country in WWII in accordance with international law, stop challenging the post-war international order, refrain from sabotaging peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific, and not to say one thing but do another. Should the Japanese side insist on barreling down the wrong path, it shall provoke widespread outrage and ultimately face the judgment of both history and justice," said Jiang.
Japan to provoke widespread outrage should it stick to wrong path: spokesman
Japan to provoke widespread outrage should it stick to wrong path: spokesman
Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.
"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.
He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.
"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.
"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.
Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival
