China warns against Japan's rising neo-militarism

BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese defense spokesperson on Saturday warned that neo-militarism in Japan has become a "mutant gray rhino running out of control," posing a serious threat to the post-WWII international order, the international non-proliferation regime, and regional peace and stability.

Chen Xi, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when asked to comment on Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent speech on Japan's defense capabilities and the latest discussions on a planned revision of the country's three national security documents.

As a defeated country in World War II, Japan must fulfill its obligations in eradicating militarism and destroying war-making power, and is forbidden to be re-armed for war, Chen said.

However, Chen said that the current Japanese administration is using "neighboring security threat" as an excuse to expedite remilitarization, and even attempt to breach the three non-nuclear principles and progressively ease nuclear restrictions.

"By doing this, Japan is steering its security policy toward an offensive, expansive and dangerous track," he said.

Japan should earnestly reflect on its war crimes, make a clean break with militarism, and cease its dangerous attempts at constitutional revision for military expansion and nuclear weapon possession, Chen noted.