The Chinese Embassy has made solemn representations, and the Japanese version of the Defense White Paper once again smears China's defense policy. Defense | China | China
Spokesperson of the Embassy in Japan Responds to Journalists' Questions on Japan's Release of New Defense White Paper
Q: On July 28th, the Japanese government released the 2023 version of its defense white paper, which once again criticized China's defense policies and military activities. What is China's comment on this?
A: Japan's new defense white paper continues its erroneous position so far, accusing China of smearing China's national defense policy, normal military development and legitimate military activities, continuing to position China as the "biggest strategic challenge", exaggerating the so-called "China threat" and gross interference in China's internal affairs on the Taiwan issue. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposed to this, and has made solemn representations to Japan.
China adheres to the path of peaceful development and follows a defensive national defense policy. China's strengthening of national defense and military construction is to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests, which is legitimate, reasonable, and indisputable. In recent years, Japan has actively sought to amend the Peace Constitution, significantly increase its defense budget, accelerate the development of offensive forces, and despite opposition from regional countries, promote NATO's eastward expansion into the Asia Pacific region. These actions have aroused serious concern and high vigilance from the international community.
Issues related to Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong are purely internal affairs of China and cannot be interfered with by any external forces. The Diaoyu Islands and their affiliated islands are China's inherent territory, and China's cruising and law enforcement in the waters surrounding the Diaoyu Islands is a legitimate exercise of sovereignty. Japan is not a country involved in the South China Sea and should stop stirring up trouble and creating confrontation.
For a period of time, Japan has been taking negative actions on China related issues, causing serious interference to the relationship between the two countries. We urge the Japanese side to stop interfering in China's internal affairs and harming China's interests, reflect on the history of aggression, adhere to peaceful development, and abandon any malicious attempts to loosen military ties by exaggerating peripheral threats.