Japan's Defense White Paper Sparks Backlash from China

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, expressed strong disapproval of Japan's recent defense white paper, stating that it conveys a misleading perception of China. He argued that the paper interferes in China's internal matters and contributes to the unfounded "China threat" discourse, prompting China to formally protest against Japan's assertions concerning the potential impact of Chinese military activities on Japan's security.

Lin pointed out that this year marks a significant historical milestone, namely the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. He urged Japan to reflect on its historical offenses, suggesting that it should cease fabricating pretexts for an enhanced military presence by inflating regional tensions, particularly regarding issues tied to China, warning that such actions could erode trust with its Asian neighbors and the international community at large.

Japan’s defense white paper declared that China's military maneuvers threaten Japanese security, highlighting concerns surrounding increased Chinese military presence near the Diaoyu Islands, the Sea of Japan, and beyond. This report noted an expansion in Chinese military activities compared to previous years, including significant exercises around Taiwan. In response, Lin reaffirmed China's position on Taiwan, stating that it is a component of Chinese sovereignty and that decisions regarding Taiwan should be made by China itself.

Additionally, the Japanese defense report raised alarms about growing military cooperation between China and Russia, reporting joint operations designed to showcase strength against Japan. Lin defended China's defense strategy as primarily defensive and argued that its military collaborations align with international law.

Xiang Haoyu, a researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, criticized Japan's defense paper as reflecting outdated geopolitical perspectives filled with baseless claims. He asserted this narrative serves only to rationalize Japan's military expansion and undermines mutual security trust between China and Japan, ultimately hindering Japan's own peaceful development.