China expressed strong dissatisfaction and opposition toward Japan's new defense white paper over its gross interference in China's internal affairs, and China has lodged solemn representations to Japan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at Friday's regular press briefing.

The Chinese Embassy in Japan also expressed firm dissatisfaction and opposition on Friday. China urged Japan to stop interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining China's interests. Japan should review and reflect on its record of aggressions and adhere to peaceful development, and give up undesirable attempts to serve its own military buildup by hyping up threats from its neighboring countries, a spokesperson from the Embassy said.

The new Japanese defense white paper smears China's normal defense development, as well as China's air and naval military activities. It deliberately exaggerates the so-called China threat and creates regional tension, said Mao.

China adheres to a path of peaceful development and pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. And its national defense development and military activities are reasonable. China conducts military cooperation such as joint cruising with relevant countries, which conforms to international law and practice, Mao said.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, and brooks no interference from any external forces. The so-called "military balance" between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan island is a completely false proposition, said Mao.

The Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands are an inalienable part of China, and Chinese government ships' patrol and law enforcement activities there are lawful exercises regarding the country's sovereignty. Japan is not a country concerned in the South China Sea and should stop stirring up trouble and creating confrontation in the region, the spokesperson from the Embassy noted.

For a period of time, Japan's negative practices on China-related issues have caused serious interference to bilateral relations between the two countries, said the spokesperson.

Japan bears historical responsibilities to the Chinese people on the Taiwan question. It should speak and act with extra prudence, earnestly learn lessons from history, Mao noted.

Due to Japan's history of militarism aggression, its military security has always been of great concern to the Asian neighboring countries and the international community. In recent years, Japan has been increasing its defense budget, revising its defense policy and seeking a breakthrough in military development, which has raised strong concerns about whether it still adheres to the path of peaceful development, Mao said.

China urges Japan to earnestly respect the security concerns of its neighboring countries, review and reflect on its record of aggressions, and stop exaggerating the security threats in its neighborhood, and finding excuses for its own military buildup, Mao said. Japan should win the trust of its Asian neighboring countries and the international community with concrete actions, Mao noted.

Global Times