The Chinese Ministry of Defense stated today, Saturday, that the frequent sending of foreign ships and aircraft by certain countries to "show off their military strength for their own interests" has exacerbated tensions in the East and South China Seas. Ministry spokesman Tan Kefei commented on a defense report issued by Japan, which referenced Chinese threats, stating that certain actions have seriously intensified tensions in the region, despite the overall stabilization of the situation in the East and South China Seas.
He added that Japan's annual defense report demonstrated a "misconception" regarding China and "deliberately exaggerated" the so-called Chinese military threats. He noted that China has lodged a strong protest with Tokyo and expressed its total rejection of the report's content.
He reiterated that Japan continuously intervenes in China's internal affairs, violates international relations rules, undermines the foundations of Sino-Japanese relations, and works to exacerbate the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Tan said: "China-Russia cooperation in the defense sector is based on non-alignment, non-confrontation, and not targeting third parties, and is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world, without posing a threat to any country."
Japan released its annual report last week, in which it provided a negative assessment of the threats posed by China's ambitions in the region and its security partnership with Russia and North Korea. Japan had announced plans to double its military spending over the next five years, marking its largest military buildup since World War II.
