Tokyo's ship plan leads to concern

'Helicopter destroyer' may be altered to carry 10 advanced F-35B fighters

China urged Japan to adhere to the strategy of maintaining a purely defensive military and the path of peaceful development, and to act cautiously in its military and security affairs, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular news conference on Tuesday.

Japan is considering transforming its largest warship, Izumo, into an aircraft carrier, Yomiuri Shimbun reported. It said the first aircraft carrier of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force is expected to enter service in 2020, capable of carrying about 10 Lockheed Martin F-35B fighters.