The ever-expanding nuclear ambitions of Japan's right-wing forces are a dangerous signal of the resurgence of Japanese militarism that poses a serious threat to world peace and stability, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said here on Thursday.
Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing when speaking about a research report titled "Nuclear Ambitions of Japan's Right-Wing Forces: A Serious Threat to World Peace," which was released on Thursday morning.
"Since the new Japanese government took office, it has not hesitated to reveal the nuclear ambitions of right-wing forces. Prime Minister of Japan Sanae Takaichi and other senior officials sought to revise the three non-nuclear principles, implied the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, called for boosting “extended deterrence” that Japan receives, and openly claimed that “Japan should have nuclear weapons.” Such moves of the Japanese side form a grave challenge to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime based on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the postwar international order, and have been met with strong opposition from the international community and people from various sectors within Japan," said Mao.
Mao noted that the above-mentioned report exposes the intention of Japanese right-wing forces to own nuclear weapons, lists the alarming facts that Japan has been conducting research on nuclear weapons secretly and stockpiling large amount of sensitive nuclear materials for a long time, and has the potential of developing nuclear weapons.
She said that the report delves into the negative impacts Japanese right-wing forces' nuclear-related words and deeds could have on international peace and security, proposed a series of measures and suggestions on eliminating the vicious impact of words and deeds of the Japanese side, and called for opposing Japan's possession of nuclear weapons and safeguarding world peace.
"The Japanese right-wing forces' inflating nuclear ambitions are a dangerous signal of the resurgence of militarism in Japan, and pose serious threats to world peace and stability. The Japanese side should face up to the call of justice from the international community, immediately make clear its position on the issue of nuclear weapons, observe the obligations of the NPT and the three non-nuclear principles. The international community needs to watch out against Japan's dangerous tendency towards possessing nuclear weapons, exercise caution on nuclear cooperation with Japan, and continue bilateral and multilateral discussions on containing Japan's nuclear ambitions and stepping up monitoring and verification. The international law and nuclear non-proliferation regime must stay intact, and Japan must stop testing the bottom and red lines of international justice," said the spokeswoman.
Japan's ever-expanding nuclear ambitions serious threat to world peace, stability: spokesperson
Japan's ever-expanding nuclear ambitions serious threat to world peace, stability: spokesperson
A charismatic Chinese influencer is again leading the biggest winter party at northeast China's Harbin Ice-Snow World, as he whips up a carnival atmosphere among the enthusiastic crowds who have converged on China's "ice city".
Jiang Kedong, known by his online moniker of "Brother Left and Right", is playing a central role as the main host of the colorful performances taking place at the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world's largest ice-and-snow theme park.
Jiang is one of the most passionate ambassadors of Harbin and has become a hugely popular character online as he shares his love for his hometown.
"I used to have 200 followers. Now I've got 680,000. Many people consider me an internet celebrity, and say that I've put an entire city on the map. But honestly, I don't think this is true. It was the city that got noticed first, and then people happened to find me here. So, the city's popularity has been good for me," said Jiang.
As night falls, the huge Harbin Ice and Snow World, which spans the size of 140 football fields, transforms into a wondrous fairyland after-dark.
And as the venue's tireless host, Jiang's mission is to fire up more than 50,000 tourists over and over again, every single day, keeping them warm amid the frigid temperatures.
"Why dance in winter? It's a new idea we came up with. The sun's set, you're covered in sweat in a cool breeze. It feels refreshing. This is the romance of Harbin. Those coming from southern China might have even more fun here than indoors. It's so much fun," said Jiang.
China has seen interest in ice and snow sports steadily grow in recent years, with the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics further igniting people's passion. And for those who wish to pursue their love for winter sports, China's northeast is the prime spot, with the coldest weather and the best snow.
Traveling to the famous "ice city" of Harbin to experience the joy of ice and snow has become the hottest topic on social media during the winter months. Hotels and guesthouses have been fully booked out well in advance, while the streets overflow with tourists during this peak season.
Once a major industrial powerhouse in China, Harbin was a place where steel roared and machines never stopped. Even in the harshest winter, smokestacks still billowed warmth, as the fire of industry drove away the cold. But since the 1990s, with the slow transformation of industries, the northeastern region seemed to have become considered as China's "Rust Belt".
Revitalizing the northeast region has been a national strategy for over two decades. The key to reinventing northeast China lays in promoting its notorious snow and ice, the very elements that seemed like the greatest barriers to its development.
"Harbin's success is being celebrated across the Northeast. The joy is heartfelt. We'd been ignored for so long. Now that our moment has come, we'll do all we can to show off our city, Harbin. It's a must," said Jiang.
The attraction's popularity has soared beyond belief, with Jiang saying he and his team are now welcoming more visitors in an average day during this ongoing winter season as they did during the entire week-long Chinese New Year holiday of previous years.
Back in 2012, the entertainment team at the ice and snow park consisted of just eight people, but has now expanded to around 40 in order to keep up with the demand and the skyrocketing visitor numbers.
Looking ahead, the ever-energetic Jiang says the goal is to keep pushing forward and keep the party going, even as some claim Harbin has already peaked.
"I'm a single snowflake in a field of snow. I just happen to have been caught in the spotlight. As long as I am able, and as long as this stage and the audience need me, I'll keep doing it," he said.
Charismatic online star warms up crowds in China's "ice city" of Harbin
