China reacts to Japan lifting military ban

World Today

China calls the Japanese Cabinet’s resolution that reinterpreted its Pacifist Constitution, a brutal violation of its spirit. Beijing questions whether Japan will change its path of peaceful development, which has been upheld since World War Two.

China has also protested Tokyo’s strategy of pushing a domestic political agenda by hyping up the “China threat”. Under the new policy, Japan’s cabinet has paved the way for its military to fight overseas.

Widespread protests after the announcement on the policy for Constitutional change. A change to the decades old ban on collective self-defense. The move has angered China, with whom relations are already strained.

As part of its so called “proactive contribution to peace”, the Abe Cabinet has allowed for Japanese involvement in the defense of its allies. This move has paved the way for Japan to send its troops to fight overseas. Many regard this as the first step in what could be the renewed militarization of Japan.

Abe’s visit to the Yasukuni shrine, which also houses war criminals and the debate over responsibility for comfort women, has already deteriorated Japan’s relations with neighbors in East Asia.

China has strongly accused Japan of ignoring international norms, stretching the limits of its pacifist Constitution and bolstering the military.

Earlier, during the Shangri-la Defense Dialogue, PLA’s Deputy Chief of Joint Staff, Wang Guanzhong urged the Japanese government to dispel doubts and concerns stemming from history, abandon historical revisionism and behave properly in a bid to win confidence from neighboring countries.

Most Chinese believe Japan’s constitutional change is a fundamental departure from the postwar defense posture. The release of Japan’s collective self-defense abilities will add new tensions in the region. The uncertainties over Japan’s move will prompt Japan’s Asian neighbors to adjust their policies in the future. CCTV’s Han Bin reports from Beijing.

China reacts to Japan lifting military ban

China calls the Japanese Cabinet's resolution that reinterpreted its Pacifist Constitution, a brutal violation of its spirit. Beijing questions whether Japan will change its path of peaceful development, which has been upheld since World War Two.