BEIJING – China's military has lashed out at Japan's plans to increase defense spending, accusing Tokyo of raising regional tensions under the pretext of safeguarding national security.
Defense Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said in a statement posted early Saturday on the ministry website that China resolutely opposes the five-year defense plan. Under the arrangement adopted Tuesday, Japan would purchase its first surveillance drones, as well as more jet fighters and naval destroyers, and set up an amphibious unit similar to the U.S. Marines.
China's strongly worded statement reflects the increasingly hawkish stance taken by its military amid a bitter dispute with Japan over uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.
Geng accused Japan of maintaining a "Cold War mentality" that runs counter to the trends of peaceful development, cooperation and mutual benefit.
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