China's judicial authorities have resolutely defended national security over the past year, according to a work report of the Supreme People's Court submitted Monday to the national legislature for deliberation.
The work report was delivered by Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People's Court, at the second plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing.
"The Supreme People's Court resolutely safeguarded national security in 2025. We intensified efforts in fighting against subversion, secession, terrorism and cult, and severely punished diehard separatists seeking 'Taiwan secession'. We punished crimes including smuggling rare earths abroad in accordance with the law, strengthening the judicial shield for the security of national strategic resources," said Zhang.
China committed to defending national security: top court
China committed to defending national security: top court
China committed to defending national security: top court
More than 10,000 people gathered outside Japan's National Diet in Tokyo on Friday to protest the government's moves toward expanding military capabilities and revising the country's pacifist constitution.
On June 9, Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party approved a draft proposal on revising the country's three key security documents later this year, according to Kyodo News. The proposal, formalized at the party's decision-making General Council, called for securing necessary funding to transform Japan's defense capabilities within five years.
Some other conservative parties in Japan also proposed amendments to Article 9 of the constitution -- the "peace clause" that renounces war and bans "war potential", during constitutional review meetings.
"I was taught when I was young that Article 9 of the constitution is very important for keeping Japan from becoming involved in war. Now the sudden move to revise it makes me feel fearful. So to express my feelings, I came here to protest the revision," said a protester.
The protest also targeted specific policy proposals, including potential changes to restrictions that limit arms exports.
As far as the issues of war and weapons exports are concerned, Japan has followed its own historical path since the end of World War II. But what [Prime Minister Sanae] Takaichi is trying to do now is to reset this period of history back to zero. Unfortunately, some people support this approach, but I do not. I hope Japan will not take that [terrible] step again," said a protester.
"If we continue to strengthen military power, it will only worsen Japan's relations with neighboring countries. The government should not take this approach," said another protester.
Thousands protest against Japan's military expansion, constitutional revision
