Japan Should Maintain Only Defense Policy: CPPCC Official 　　A leading official of the Subcommittee of Foreign Affairs of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) said in Beijing on May 26 that Japan should adhere to its Peace Constitution and maintain a defense-only policy. 　　The official made the remarks after the Japanese Senate passed new Japan-U.S. defense cooperation guidelines. Its House of Representatives had already approved the documents despite opposition of the Japanese people and the Asian people. 　　Japan should continue on the path of peaceful development and fulfil its own commitments, he said, calling the increased Japan-U.S. military cooperation and expanded military role in the Asia-Pacific region a serious step, one that worries the Chinese and countries and regions in other parts of Asia and makes them uneasy. 　　The key point of the documents, which were formulated by the Japanese and U.S. governments and approved by the Japanese Diet, is stronger military cooperation, he explained. 　　They empower the Japanese self-defense forces to leave Japanese territory and cooperate with the United States in military operations in the guise of "safeguarding regional security", but will in fact threaten the peace and stability of the region. The move is a violation of the desires of the people of the Asia-Pacific region for peace and stability, he said. 　　He expressed firm opposition against including Taiwan in the scope of the Japan-U.S. security cooperation and strongly demanded Japan give explicit explanation on the indication of the "surrounding situation". 　　Japan's explanation of the "surrounding situation", however, has been ambiguous and vague, which will have a negative impact on the steady development of Sino-Japanese relations, he said. 　　He added that any attempt to, directly or indirectly, include Taiwan in the scope of Japan-U.S. security cooperation constitutes an infringement on the Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity and an interference in China's internal affairs. 　　All parties, ethnic groups and circles in the CPPCC and all the Chinese people are firmly opposed to the attempt, he stressed. 　　Japan should abide by the principles of the Japan-China Joint Statement and Japan-China Friendship Treaty and refrain from doing anything that interferes in China's internal affairs, obstructs China's reunification cause, and jeopardizes Sino-Japanese friendly ties, he said. WorldNews 1999-05-27 Page4 Full Story in Chinese