China slams Japan's remilitarization moves in Pacific islands

Japan's move of building up military facilities on its Pacific islands is another proof of accelerating remilitarization, the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday, urging Tokyo to stop smearing China and truly repent for its historical crimes.

Tokyo's move includes the placement of an anti-ship missile battery on Minamitorishima, saying it was responding to rising military activity by China and Russia.

The ministry's spokesman Lin Jian said in an online statement that not only has Japan refused to repent for its historical crimes, it is even retracing those erroneous steps and concocting false narratives about threat from neighboring countries to cover up its attempt of military buildup.

Facts prove that Japan's remilitarization already poses real threat to regional peace and stability, and the international community must stay on high alert, he said.

China urges the Japanese side to stop the spread of disinformation, learn the lesson of history, and step back from the wrong path, he added.

Also on Thursday, Lin defended China's ocean research activities in the Pacific Ocean, saying they serve peaceful purposes and are in strict compliance with relevant regulations of international law.

He made the remarks when asked about China sending a seabed research ship (Xiang Hang Hong 06) close to the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Minamitorishima island in recent years.

Such activities are aimed at improving humanity's scientific knowledge of the ocean and contributing to the overall wellbeing of the international community, Lin said.