China on Friday voiced concern over Japan's establishment of a national intelligence bureau, saying the move represented another negative development in the country's domestic and external security policy.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Japan's intelligence agencies had historically paved the way for the country's militarism expansion and wars of aggression, committing "countless crimes" against the people of its Asian neighbors, as well as the Japanese people.

"In recent times, under the pretext of national security and external threats, Japan has accelerated its remilitarization process, threatening regional peace and stability and causing widespread concern in the international community," Mao said.

She urged Japanese policymakers to draw profound lessons from history and act with prudence.