Protesters attend a rally against the security laws in Tokyo, Japan, March 19, 2016. Thousands of people gathered for the protest. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

BEIJING, March 30 -- China has urged the Japanese government to "act prudently" and "adhere to a peaceful development path" after Japan's controversial new security laws came into effect on Tuesday.

In blatant violation of the country's pacifist Constitution, which restricts Japan's military action in self-defense, the new security legislation gives the green light to overseas military operations by the Self-Defense Forces. The laws have drawn wide criticism from Japan's neighbors and the international community for threatening to destabilize the Asia-Pacific.

"We urge Japan to learn from history," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei at a routine press briefing on Wednesday. "The Japanese government should listen attentively to the call for justice from Japan and the international community."

The Japanese side should take the security concerns of its Asian neighbors seriously, act with prudence in the military and security fields, and stick to the path of peaceful development, Hong stressed.

Hong said that "some forces in Japan have been trying to push forward their domestic political agenda by fabricating the so-called 'China threat'. We are firmly opposed to that."

"China asks Japan to refrain from doing anything that undermines China's sovereignty and security interests as well as regional peace and stability," said the spokesperson.