China issues working paper on Japan's nuclear ambitions

The Chinese Foreign Ministry released a working paper regarding Japan's pursuit of nuclear weapons on Thursday, urging the Japanese side to abide by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Three Non-Nuclear Principles – not possessing, not producing and not allowing introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory.

In recent years, Japan has consistently engaged in negative rhetoric and actions regarding the issue of possessing nuclear weapons, with Japanese officials repeatedly and openly discussing revising the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, noted the paper.

It added that Japan has pushed forward revisions to its National Security Strategy and two related documents, and increased its military spending for 14 consecutive years, raising alarming signs of a resurgence of neo-militarism.

It urged Japan to learn from history, completely sever ties with neo-militarism, abide by the pacifist Constitution and the NPT, and cease its "remilitarization" activities and attempts to acquire nuclear weapons.

Allowing Japan's right-wing forces to push for the development of powerful offensive weapons, and even acquire nuclear weapons, will inevitably bring renewed harm to the international community and exert severe negative impacts on global peace, security and stability, the document said.

The paper urged the countries to carefully consider Japan's strong motivation to acquire nuclear weapons and other related developments, exercise caution in nuclear cooperation with Japan, and effectively safeguard the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

It called on the International Atomic Energy Agency to specifically strengthen the scope, intensity, and frequency of comprehensive safeguards and verification activities regarding Japan to ensure the timely detection of any non-peaceful nuclear activities conducted by Japan.