China's Defense Ministry: Japan is retracing evil path of militarism

China warns against Japan’s intent to remilitarize and challenge the post-war international order, Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin said on Tuesday, calling on the international community to remain vigilant.

Asked about reports that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi seeks to formally recognize Japan’s Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in Article 9 of the country's Peace Constitution, Jiang pointed out that it constitutes a constant effort by Japan's government to break through the principle of "exclusively defense-oriented policy" through so-called "interpretation" of its constitution.

Japan has lifted the ban on collective self-defense and vigorously developed offensive weapons and equipment under the pretext of "defense," said Jiang, adding that Japan is dressing its "remilitarization" in the garb of hypocritical "rule of law."

The spokesperson added that, now the Japanese government is openly seeking to incorporate the SDF into the constitution, this is not refining the law, but rather undermining the foundation of the "Pacifist Constitution"; it is not "justifying" the SDF, but rather loosening military restrictions; it is not returning to the so-called normal country, but rather retracing the evil path of militarism.

Various signs indicate that Japan's right-wing forces are deliberately attempting to challenge the post-war international order from multiple aspects including military, public opinion and law, said Jiang. He urged the international community to remain highly vigilant, take measures to curb this situation, and join hands to safeguard the fruits of victory of World War II and regional peace and stability.