China rejects Japan’s defence white paper
China said it has lodged “serious representations” over Japan’s latest defence white paper, accusing Tokyo of portraying Beijing as its “greatest strategic challenge” and making “brazen comments” on Taiwan. “The white paper once again targeted China with baseless accusations, repeated the so-called ‘China threat’ narrative and grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs by making brazen comments on Taiwan,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jing said. China’s growing military activities pose Tokyo’s “greatest strategic challenge” and “must be addressed through overall national strength and cooperation with allies and like-minded nations, according to the white paper approved by Japan’s cabinet on Tuesday. In the foreword, Japanese defence minister Shinjiro Koizumi expressed hope that the white paper would “deepen the public’s understanding of Japan’s defence and security, and serve as an opportunity for people to reflect on how security is linked to the future of every citizen.”
Tensions between China and Japan have remained high since November last year, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in parliament that a Taiwan contingency could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, potentially prompting its Self-Defence Forces to support the United States. On nuclear weapons, the white paper reaffirmed Japan’s long-standing three non-nuclear principles, stating that Tokyo continues to uphold them “as policy guidelines.”