Chinese Defense Ministry criticizes Japan for hyping 'China threat'

A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman on Tuesday said that those claiming to be threatened are the real source of threat, criticizing Japan for hyping up a "China threat."

Chen Xi, the spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, made these remarks in an online news briefing in response to recent actions by the Japanese side in military and security fields.

According to Japan's news outlet Nikkei Asia, the draft of Japan's Defense White Paper 2026 identified China as "an unprecedented and greatest strategic challenge", which will be countered by "comprehensive national strength". In addition, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force recently displayed the Type 25 high-speed glide bomb for the first time, considered a substantive step by Japan in developing proactive long-range strike capabilities.

Chen stated that the Japanese side has repeatedly peddled the narrative of a so-called China military threat, deliberately stoking confrontation, and creating security anxieties. "The reason it has done all these things is to fabricate excuses for itself to break free from restrictions on its defense forces and seek a massive military buildup," he noted.

The Japanese side repeats its attacks and smears against China in this so-called White Paper, which is not worth any comments, he said. "As a matter of fact, those who are claiming to be threatened are the real source of threat," the spokesman said.

He said Japan has drastically increased its defense spending, eased restrictions on exports of lethal weapons, pushed forward the deployment of intermediate and long-range missiles, expanded offensive military capabilities, revised its pacifist Constitution, and even clamored to be a war-capable nation. "A Japan accelerating its remilitarization is becoming a powder keg for the Asia-Pacific region," said Chen.

He urged all peace-loving people to stay highly vigilant and take firm actions to curb the reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism, preventing it from wreaking havoc on the world, and defending the post-war international order and enduring peace.