China slams Japan's 'dangerous move' of deploying offensive weapons

China on Wednesday slammed Japan's move of deploying offensive weapons, calling the deployment extremely dangerous and urging the international community to stay vigilant.

On Tuesday, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities had been deployed in Kumamoto and Shizuoka prefectures, a move that has sparked domestic opposition.

Demonstrations were held in Japan on Tuesday evening as Japanese citizens voiced strong opposition to the government's decision to deploy long-range missiles in the country.

"Japan is deploying offensive weapons under the guise of 'defense' and 'counterattack', which clearly exceeds the scope of its 'self-defense' and 'exclusively defense-oriented' policy. This constitutes a severe violation of provisions in instruments with legal effect under international law, including the [1943] Cairo Declaration, the [1945] Potsdam Proclamation and the [1945] Japanese Instrument of Surrender, and of Japan's own Constitution and existing domestic norms. This once again demonstrates that the far-right forces in Japan are pushing the country's security and defense policies towards an offensive and expansionist direction. Japan's neo-militarism is posing a threat to regional peace and stability, and the international community should remain highly vigilant about this," said Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, at a press conference in Beijing.

"I have also noticed that many Japanese civil groups and individuals have clearly expressed their opposition. Not long ago, a Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) officer illegally entered the Chinese Embassy in Japan with a knife. Instead of reflecting on the SDF's own serious deficiencies in control and management, the Japanese side has been busy hyping up 'external threats' and accelerating military expansion. This behavior is extremely dangerous. We solemnly urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect on its history of militarist aggression, strictly abide by its commitments in the military and security fields, and act with prudence," she said.

China slams Japan's 'dangerous move' of deploying offensive weapons

China slams Japan's 'dangerous move' of deploying offensive weapons

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called on China and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to foster new engines for economic growth, and continuously expand common interests.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when holding talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK Cho Hyun in Beijing.

Noting that China always attaches importance to China-ROK relations, Wang said China stands ready to further enhance mutual trust with the ROK side to expand cooperation in emerging fields including artificial intelligence, biomedicine, green and low-carbon development and the silver economy on the basis of traditional cooperation.

Wang said next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, adding that both sides should take this opportunity to jointly advance the China-ROK strategic cooperative partnership in the right direction.

Noting that the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting is scheduled to be held in Shenzhen, and leaders of various economies including the ROK president have confirmed their attendance, Wang said China is ready to work with the ROK to advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community and promote common development and prosperity in the region.

Cho Hyun said that since the two heads of state exchanged visits, bilateral relations have recovered and grown. The substantial increase in trade volume and people-to-people exchanges fully demonstrates that the important consensus reached by the two leaders has been delivered, he added.

Cho Hyun said the ROK government's position of respecting the one-China policy will remain unchanged.

The ROK wishes the APEC "China Year" every success, he said, adding that the two heads of state will meet again in Shenzhen next week, which will push bilateral relations to new heights.

Chinese FM calls on China, ROK to expand common interests