Japan's remilitarization efforts real threat to regional peace, stability: spokesperson

BEIJING, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Friday slammed Japan's reckless remilitarization efforts, calling them a real threat to regional peace and stability.

Chen Xi, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a press briefing when responding to a query concerning Japan's recent missile tests and the Japanese defense minister's claim about long-range missiles becoming part of Japan's counterstrike capabilities.

Japan's moves to accelerate the development of offensive weapons are becoming increasingly rampant and perilous, warranting heightened vigilance among regional countries, Chen noted.

The Japanese side's so-called "neighboring security threat" is merely a pretext for breaking free from its pacifist constitution and the "exclusively defense-oriented" policy, and expediting remilitarization, according to the spokesperson.

"The real threat to Japan's security and regional peace and stability is its reckless attempts to ramp up its military buildup and accelerate remilitarization. The nightmare of war must not repeat itself and peace must be upheld," Chen warned.

He urged the international community to unite and act in concert to contain the rise of Japan's neo-militarism and prevent it from plunging the world into turmoil.