China hits back at Japan over Taiwan warning
China fired back at Japan on Tuesday, saying Tokyo was “irresponsible” for naming Beijing as its top national security concern in its annual defense white paper.
China in recent months has increased its military activity around Taiwan, a democratically-ruled territory it considers its own, which is not far from Japan’s Okinawa islands.
In Japan’s defense papers, approved by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government on Tuesday, Tokyo said China was inciting a military crisis in the region.
China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian rejected Japan’s conclusions about what it calls normal military buildup.
“It is extremely wrong and irresponsible to grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, unreasonably accuse China of normal national defense construction and military activities, make irresponsible remarks about China's legitimate maritime activities, and exaggerate the so-called Chinese threat. China is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month pledged to complete “reunification” and squash independence movements in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Japan has said they would join forces with the United States to defend Taiwan from any invasion, according to local media.
In response to Tuesday’s white paper, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry expressed thanks to Japan for its support.
