A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman on Thursday urged Japan to follow the trend of peace and stop stoking bloc confrontation, warning that Japan's stepped-up remilitarization poses a real threat to regional security.
Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to a question about the large-scale "Keen Sword 27" joint exercise recently held by the United States and Japan, which focused on island seizure operations.
Japan's Self-Defense Forces reportedly deployed Type 25 surface-to-ship missiles in the drill, and the U.S. military deployed the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System for the first time on Yonaguni Island, the closest Japanese island to Taiwan.
"The Asia-Pacific region is a highland of peace and development. Only those who follow the trend of peace can go far, while those who insist on provoking bloc confrontation will find no support. Japan, catering to and aligning with certain countries, conducts so-called joint exercises, develops and deploys intermediate- and long-range missiles, continuously strengthens military deployment on its southwestern islands, and accelerates re-militarization, which poses a real threat to regional security," Zhang said.
"The Taiwan question is purely part of China's internal affairs, and we will never allow external forces to meddle in China's Taiwan region. No one should underestimate China's firm resolve, unwavering will and strong capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Anyone who harbors the illusion of using Taiwan to contain China, or even recklessly resorts to military provocation, will pay an unbearable price," he said.
China lashes out at Japan's bloc confrontation, re-militarization push
