Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Thursday slammed the latest Pentagon annual report for trying to drive a wedge between China and India through ill-intentioned analysis on the two neighbors' reduced border tensions.
"This U.S. report distorts China's defense policy in an attempt to sow discord between China and other countries and find an excuse for maintaining its military hegemony. China firmly opposes that," Lin said at a press conference in Beijing.
"China views and handles its relationship with India from a strategic height and long-term perspective and stands ready to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, promote cooperation, and handle differences properly with the Indian side to advance bilateral relations on a healthy and stable track," Lin noted.
"The China-India boundary question is a matter between the two countries. Currently, the situation on the China-India border is generally stable, and the two sides have open communication channels. We oppose the relevant country to pick on this matter," he said.
Chinese spokesman slams Pentagon report for trying to weaken China's relationship with India
Chinese spokesman slams Pentagon report for trying to weaken China's relationship with India
Recent Taiwan-related remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, along with statements by a senior Japanese official suggesting Japan should possess nuclear weapons, have continued to draw criticism from the international community.
Commentators from multiple countries said the remarks openly challenge the one-China principle and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, warning that Japan's nuclear rhetoric is extremely dangerous and poses a serious threat to global security and peace.
Richard Morales, Professor of Political Science at the University of Panama, said the Japanese prime minister's remarks amount to hostility and aggression toward China.
"Such statements are a blatant provocation against the one-China principle and the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs. The advocacy of nuclear weapons is undoubtedly a dangerous stance at a time when the world is seeking disarmament rather than nuclear proliferation. The remarks reflect Japan's lack of historical memory and understanding of the crimes it committed during World War II, particularly crimes against the Chinese people. Japan has not apologized for those crimes and instead has issued provocative statements related to Taiwan," said Morales.
"Japan's recent statements point in a dangerous direction. This not only represents a betrayal of the post-World War II international order but also violates Japan's pacifist constitution and its commitments under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. These statements by Japanese leaders and officials, especially those related to acquiring nuclear weapons, could trigger a series of conflicts in the future and expose the region to enormous risks," said Hussein Ismail, researcher at the Political Institute of the Egyptian News Agency.
"I think the remarks by Prime Minister Takaichi, which in my mind would be exceedingly dangerous. I don't think Japan should acquire nuclear weapons, it should take leadership in opposing the spread of nuclear weapons, and certainly should not be seeking nuclear weapons for itself," said Michael T. Klare, Professor Emeritus of Peace and World Security Studies at Hampshire College, USA.
Japanese official's remarks on possessing nuclear weapons spark global alarm
