Crude futures settle higher

Oil prices surged on Friday.

The West Texas Intermediate for April delivery gained 9.89 U.S. dollars, or 12.21 percent, to settle at 90.90 U.S. dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for May delivery went up 7.28 dollars, or 8.52 percent, to settle at 92.69 U.S. dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

A Chinese defense spokesman urged vigilance against Japan's recent military and security policy shifts.

Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks on Thursday at a regular press briefing.

According to media reports, the Japanese government has officially revised the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology and its implementation guidelines, which in principle green-lighted Japan's export of lethal weapons. In addition, it has resumed military ranks used by the Imperial Japanese Army such as Taisa, and passed a bill to set up a National Intelligence Bureau.

"Japan has recently taken dangerous, adventuristic and provocative actions in the military and security fields. Such moves have already turned against its self-proclaimed identity as a peace-loving country and its 'exclusively defense-oriented' principle," said the spokesman.

"Moreover, Japan is trying to resume the military rank system used by the Imperial Japanese Army, and the intelligence apparatus it plans to form is reminiscent of the notorious Tokko. These actions seriously hurt the national feelings of the people in Asian countries," he said.

"Japan is making reckless and unchecked strides on the path of remilitarization. Will it once again bring disasters to East Asia?" Zhang asked.

"All peace-loving people should stay on high alert, resolutely stop Japan's retrogressive moves, and never allow it to undermine peace and bring calamities to the world," added the spokesman.