China Urges Japan to Stop Forming Exclusive Military Alliances and Small Circles
Beijing, October 15, 2024 – TheChinese Ministry of National Defense has issued a strong statement urging Japan to cease its pursuit of exclusive military alliances and small circles, emphasizing that such actions are detrimental to regional peace andstability.
The statement comes in response to recent pronouncements by Japanese officials, including Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru, who has advocated for the creation of an Asian NATO to counter China’s influence. Additionally, Japanese defense officials have accused China and Russia of violating Japanese airspace, raising concerns within the region and internationally.
Japan’s claims of a ‘Chinese threat’ are baseless andaimed at diverting international attention from its own military expansion, stated Wu Qian, Spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense. We firmly oppose these fabrications.
Wu Qian highlighted that Japan’s recent actions, including exceeding the limitations of itsPeace Constitution and exclusive defense policy, have led to significant military buildup and raised alarm among Asian neighbors and the international community.
We urge Japan to stop forming exclusive military alliances and ‘small circles’ and to act with caution in the realm of military security, Wu Qian emphasized. Japan should focus oncontributing to regional peace and stability instead of engaging in activities that escalate tensions.
Japan’s Growing Military Ambitions
Japan’s recent military expansion has been a source of concern for China and other regional powers. The country has significantly increased its defense budget, modernized its armed forces, and expanded its military capabilities, including the development of advanced weaponry and the acquisition of new aircraft carriers.
This military buildup has been accompanied by a shift in Japan’s defense policy, moving away from its traditional exclusive defense doctrine, which limited its military activities to defending its own territory. The country has increasingly engaged in joint military exercises withits allies, including the United States, and has been vocal in its opposition to China’s growing influence in the region.
China’s Perspective
China views Japan’s military expansion with suspicion, seeing it as a potential threat to its own security interests. Beijing has repeatedly called on Japan to abandon its Cold War mentality and to work towards building a peaceful and cooperative relationship.
China has also expressed concern about Japan’s close military ties with the United States, arguing that these partnerships contribute to instability in the region. Beijing sees the US-Japan alliance as a tool for containing China’s rise and for promotingAmerican hegemony in Asia.
Regional Implications
Japan’s pursuit of exclusive military alliances and its increased military spending have raised concerns about the potential for an arms race in the region. This could lead to increased tensions and instability, potentially jeopardizing the peace and stability that has been hard-won in Asia since theend of the Cold War.
Conclusion
China’s statement urging Japan to stop forming exclusive military alliances and small circles underscores the growing tensions between the two countries. Japan’s military expansion and its close ties with the United States are seen by China as a threat to its security interests, while Japanviews China’s rise with suspicion and seeks to counter its influence in the region.
The future of relations between China and Japan will depend on their ability to manage these tensions and to find common ground. Both countries have a vested interest in maintaining peace and stability in the region, and they should prioritize dialogue and cooperationover confrontation.
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