China blasts Japan's defense white paper

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China has expressed its opposition to Japan's defense white paper for 2017.

"Japan's new version of the defense white paper once again ignores established facts and makes groundless accusations against China's normal national defense construction and military activities," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang.

Geng emphasized China's commitment to safeguarding territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

"We hope that Japan respects the efforts of China and ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and plays a constructive role in regional peace and stability," Geng said.

Diaoyu Islands /Xinhua Photo

On Tuesday, China's Defense Ministry also expressed opposition to the white paper, saying it maliciously smeared China and deceived the international community.

Japan's cabinet approved the white paper on Tuesday. The over 560-page document devotes 34 pages to China's national defense system and claims that the country's legal maritime activities in the East and South China Seas are "attempts to change the status quo by coercion."

Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said Japan has changed the status quo by amending its pacifist constitution, expanding its armaments and carrying out highly targeted military deployment.

China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian addresses a news briefing. /CGTN Photo

Wu also accused Japan of meddling in the South China Sea issue.

These acts are Tokyo's attempts to change the status quo, harm regional peace and stability and make the international community concerned, Wu said.

In the whiter paper, Japan questioned the direction the Chinese military was developing in and said that the country's military policies lack transparency.

"China pursues a national defense policy that is purely defensive in nature and it supports and actively takes part in United Nations peacekeeping missions. All these depict a good image of China as a responsible country," said Wu.

Japan also accused China of frequently "invading" waters it claims are its own.

"We urge Japan to reflect on history, respect the facts and stop making groundless accusations," Wu noted.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also slammed the white paper, saying it played "the same old tune" by making accusations about China's defense and military development.