China firmly rejects reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
In response to a media query, Mao said that China is gravely concerned about Japanese government's plan to revise the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology".
"International scholars and those with insights in Japan also find the development deeply concerning and believe it marks a fundamental shift in Japan’s postwar arms export policy and constitutes a grave violation of instruments with legal effect under international law such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. The development goes against Japan’s own Constitution and norms, and will sabotage institutional safeguards designed to prevent the revival of Japan’s militarism. We noted a survey conducted by the Japanese government previously, which shows that the majority of Japanese people oppose relaxing arms export controls. Various signs show that the Japanese right-wing forces are pushing for a more offensive and expansionist defense policy. Japan’s remilitarization is gathering pace. This is already a reality with an actual roadmap and concrete steps, and this is posing a threat to regional peace and stability. The international community must stay on high alert and firmly reject the reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism," said Mao. "We urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect on its history of militarist aggression, honor its commitments and act prudently in military and security areas, and stop going further down the wrong path," she added.
China firmly opposes reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism: spokeswoman
China firmly opposes reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism: spokeswoman
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) warned on Tuesday that if the U.S. army crosses the red line in attacking civilian targets, Iran's response "will go beyond the region."
In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said: "We will not hesitate to retaliate vile aggressions against civilian facilities."
It came as tensions rose on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump made a social media post in which he threatened Iran's "whole civilization will die tonight," if they fail to meet the deadline he had set to reach a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a possible sharp escalation of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
On the same day, the IRGC announced that as part of the 99th wave of its ongoing "Operation True Promise 4," it has launched attacks on more than 30 targets across central, southern, and inland areas of Israel, covering Rishon LeZion and Petah Tikva in Central Israel, Beersheba, Dimona, and Arad in Negev region, and around ten locations in Tel Aviv.
It added that further retaliations would intensify, with Israeli industrial facilities, infrastructure and military bases all identified as potential targets.
The IRGC also said on Tuesday it had carried out strikes on U.S. bases and other targets in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, as well as on military command centers in the occupied Palestinian territories as part of the 99th wave of its operation.
According to the statement, the operations, jointly conducted by the IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force, carried out attacks with ballistic and cruise missiles along with attack drones in response to earlier strikes on petrochemical plants and affiliated facilities in Iran's southern coastal city of Asaluyeh.
The IRGC further claimed it had launched a long-range missile attack against the U.S. Navy's Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which is reportedly deployed in the Indian Ocean.
Separately, media reports said a large petrochemical complex in Saudi Arabia's Jubail, which was owned by a U.S. company, was hit by medium-range missiles and drones.
Another container vessel, reportedly linked to Israel and believed to be preparing to transport military equipment from the Khor Fakkan port in the United Arab Emirates, was also said to have been struck.
Iran's IRGC vows "beyond the region" response if US hits civilian targets
