China is ready to work with Britain to make favorable conditions to further their cooperation in trade in services, said He Yadong, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
The spokesman said that the "Export to China" UK Session, jointly hosted by the ministry and the British Department for Business and Trade, was held in London on Wednesday, receiving strong support and an enthusiastic response from the governments and business communities of both countries.
He said the two countries will spur a feasibility study on China-Britain services trade agreement.
"Britain is the first country to sign a memorandum of understanding with China on cooperation under the 'Export to China' initiative, and is also one of the five theme countries for the initiative this year. Britain is an important partner with China in trade in services, and the bilateral trade in services exceeded 30 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, still with enormous potential to tap. China is willing to work with the British side to expedite the joint feasibility study on the China-Britain services trade agreement, so as to make favorable conditions to further enhance the two countries' cooperation in trade in services," said the spokesman.
China to promote trade in services with UK: spokesman
Japanese journalist Toshihiro Yoshida, a long-time observer and critic of Japan's military expansion, has warned that the military buildup pursued by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration risks plunging Japan into war again.
Yoshida made the point as the Takaichi administration continues pushing forward with revising the country's three key security documents -- the National Security Strategy, the National Defense Strategy and the Defense Buildup Program while accelerating the deployment of long-range missiles and conducting joint military exercises with the United States.
"In line with the three security documents, the Japanese government has begun deploying long-range missiles capable of reaching China, while continuously expanding ammunition depots and promoting the use of civilian airports and ports by U.S. and Japan's Self-Defense Forces," said Yoshida.
He criticized the Takaichi administration for showing insufficient reflection on historical issues while continuously focusing on military expansion, which raises the risk that Japan could once again become a wartime aggressor.
"In Japanese political circles, especially among conservatives, including some politicians from the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party, there is a lack of historical reflection. This raises concerns that Japan may be preparing for another war. The current military buildup and war preparedness, which are heightening regional tensions, should be halted," he said.
Yoshida also stressed the need for Japan to strengthen historical education and face up to its history of aggression.
"In Japanese society, awareness of Japan's historical responsibility as the aggressor remains insufficient, particularly the harm inflicted on China, Southeast Asia, and Pacific island nations during the war of aggression against China and the Pacific War. Relevant historical education should be strengthened so that the Japanese people can earnestly learn about that period of history," he said.
Japanese journalist warns Takaichi's military buildup risks plunging Japan into war again
