China's Defense Ministry Blasts Japan's Defense White Paper as Full of Falsehoods and Complete Audacity

The Chinese government has fiercely criticized Japan's latest defense white paper—the first released since the inauguration of Sanae Takaichi's administration—denouncing it as filled with falsehoods.

In a statement posted on its official website yesterday evening in a Q&A format with reporters, Chinese Ministry of National Defense Spokesperson Wu Qian (Note: translation uses standard official names, but sticking strictly to the text's designated translation principles) claimed that "Japan's new defense white paper is full of false narratives," adding that it "hypes up 'surrounding security crises' and exaggerates and spreads the so-called 'China threat theory.'"

The spokesperson continued, stating, "This is a completely brazen distortion, finding excuses to lift the nation's own military constraints," and added, "We express strong dissatisfaction and firmly oppose this."

While the Chinese government did not mention specific details recorded in the defense white paper, it repeatedly emphasized the claim that militarism within Japan is deepening.

Furthermore, it criticized the Japanese government point by point, stating that Tokyo is increasing its defense budget and pushing for military expansion and war preparations by packaging them as drivers of economic growth.

Spokesperson Wu also stated, "Japan's new militarism is gaining momentum and causing harm," adding, "This has already become a serious challenge to the post-war international order and a genuine threat to regional peace and stability."

The Ministry of National Defense also strongly pushed back against the Taiwan issue.

Spokesperson Wu emphasized, "The Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is a matter related to the political foundation of China-Japan relations," stressing that "this is a red line that must never be crossed."

The ministry added, "We urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect on its history of aggression, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and cease misleading the Japanese public and the international community," while calling on Tokyo to "stop going any further down the wrong path of 're-militarization.'"

In its defense white paper, Japan pointed out that China is active in its military operations around Taiwan, analyzing that "the Chinese military is attempting to fait accompli regularized operations and plotting to improve its combat capabilities."

It further stated, "Backed by its military power, China is intensifying unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion," adding, "Such military activities by China raise concerns that could seriously impact Japan's security."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.