BEIJING, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of National Defense said on Friday that acts by Japanese right-wing forces were clearly challenging the postwar international order, after reports that Japan planned to keep labeling China as its greatest strategic challenge and to consider easing restrictions on nuclear weapons.
Ministry spokesperson Chen Xi said Japan, as a defeated country in World War II, should have reflected on its history of aggression and war crimes, and drawn lessons from history.
"Instead, right-wing forces in Japan keep fabricating false narratives on the so-called China threat, and distorting facts to portray Japan as a victim," Chen said.
He said Japan was ramping up defense expenditure, strengthening offensive and long-range strike capabilities, and, worse still, seeking to progressively ease nuclear restrictions.
"With such moves, they have not only betrayed Japan's commitment to peace, but also blatantly challenged the postwar international order and the authority of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," he said.
Chen called on the international community to stay highly vigilant and take countermeasures against Japan's push for remilitarization, uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, and defend the security and peace of the world.
The remarks came after reports that Japan would continue to label China as its greatest strategic challenge in its revised three security documents, and increase its defense spending to around 70 to 80 trillion yen (about 438 to 500 billion U.S. dollars) over the next five years.
The Japanese government was also said to be considering amending its National Security Strategy to include exceptions to the three non-nuclear principles, which potentially allows the transport of nuclear weapons into Japan in emergencies. ■
