China criticizes Japan's defense expansion, warns of historical repercussions

A Chinese defense ministry spokesperson on Thursday warned that rearming Japan and enabling it to become a "war-capable state" would risk repeating a historical tragedy.

Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks in response to Japan's proposed expansion of its defense bodies and weapons capabilities at a regular news conference.

Zhang said Japan has accelerated its remilitarization efforts and openly expanded its military arsenal in recent years. "These dangerous moves bear a striking resemblance to the preparations made by the militarist regime for launching wars during World War II," he said.

According to reports, Japan's Ministry of Defense will be significantly expanded in 2027, with plans to establish three new bureaus. It also plans to equip its unmanned underwater vehicles with long-range missiles. Additionally, Japan has reached an agreement with Australia to test its hypersonic missiles in Australia.

As a defeated country in World War II, Japan was prohibited from possessing offensive weapons under the Potsdam Proclamation and its pacifist Constitution, Zhang noted.

"As an aggressive and warmongering power in the past, Japan has failed to genuinely reflect on its historical crimes. If it were allowed to rearm and become a 'war-capable state', a tragedy may well repeat itself," he added.

Zhang urged the international community to see through the dangerous agenda pursued by Japan's right-wing forces, firmly contain the reckless moves of Japan's "neo-militarism", and resolutely safeguard regional peace and stability.