Under the guise of "freedom and openness," Japan is actually stirring up bloc confrontation and forming exclusive "small circles," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular news briefing when responding to a query about Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's announcement of a new version of the "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."

Relations between countries should not be directed against or harm the interests of a third party, Lin said, adding that Japan's actions run counter to the shared aspiration of regional countries and the international community for peace, development and cooperation.