Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

When asked for comment on the meeting between Yonaguni Town Mayor and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Monday, during which the Mayor conveyed his intention to accept the deployment of a missile unit at the Yonaguni garrison, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that China expresses grave concern over relevant developments. Under the pretext of defensive countermeasures, Japan has stepped up the deployment of missiles and other offensive weapons and equipment in regions adjacent to China, which is in essence building forward strongholds for military confrontation and threatening regional peace and stability.

Guo said driven by Japan's far-right forces, Japan's security policy has shifted in an offensive, expansionary and dangerous direction, going far beyond the scope of self-defense and exclusive defense. This is also a mockery of Japan's self-proclaimed status as a peace-loving nation, Guo added. 

"We have noted that, haunted by painful historical memories, local residents generally worry about being dragged into a war, getting hurt and becoming cannon fodder," Guo said.

The spokesperson also said that there is also strong opposition within Japan. The aggressive wars launched by Japanese militarists in the past not only inflicted untold suffering on the world but also brought calamity to the Japanese people, said Guo, adding that going against public opinion to pursue military expansion will only lead Japan down the old path of disaster.

"We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its militarist history of aggression, honor its commitments in the military and security field, and exercise prudence in words and deeds," said Guo. 

The international community must stay highly vigilant and resolutely contain Japan's accelerated re-militarization and the rise of neo-militarism, the spokesperson said.


Global Times