Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense. Photo: Ministry of National Defense

Question: According to media reports, regarding the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said: "We will not rule out all options". An official from the Prime Minister's Office stated that Japan should possess nuclear weapons.  Additionally, the Japanese Ministry of Defense recently released a report, claiming that China's defense spending is growing rapidly and China is increasing activities near Japan. The report also states plans to deploy mobile radar equipment in Okinawa by 2026 to monitor Chinese military activities, including those of Chinese aircraft carriers. What's your comment on that?

Zhang Xiaogang: China's defense expenditure is reasonable, moderate, and remains below the global average as a share of GDP. The operations of the Chinese military in relevant waters are fully in compliance with international law and international practice, and brook no interference or provocation. We urge Japan to cease its false narratives and halt targeted deployments against China. We will take resolute countermeasures against any harassment or provocations.

In recent years, Japan has relentlessly pursued remilitarization and accelerated its military buildup, with an increasingly visible and dangerous tendency towards a militarist revival. To cover up its underlying ambitions, Japan has repeatedly used China as a pretext. Not long ago, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made erroneous remarks concerning the Taiwan question. Now, right-wing forces in Japan have thrown away their hypocritical mask and are openly advocating for nuclear armament. These actions constitute a direct defiance of international norms, a blatant challenge to the bottom line of international justice, the post-WWII international order, and the global non-proliferation regime. They pose a severe threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond. What Japan is doing runs directly counter to its own professed commitment to peaceful development. We call upon all peace-loving nations and peoples to take actions to resolutely contain the revival of militarism by Japan's right-wing forces, and prevent the world from sliding into turmoil or reliving tragedies of the past.