In a strongly worded statement during Thursday’s regular press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Jiang Bin confronted Japan over what Beijing characterizes as dangerous militaristic resurgence. The official demanded Japan demonstrate genuine repentance for historical wartime atrocities while immediately ceasing efforts to modify its pacifist Constitution and expand military capabilities.
The remarks came in response to recent Japanese security developments, including last week’s landmark export of domestically manufactured Patriot missile interceptors to the United States—marking Tokyo’s first transfer of lethal weapons since relaxing arms export restrictions. Additionally, Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party has initiated discussions about potentially revising the National Security Strategy and associated documents, which may include reconsidering the longstanding Three Non-Nuclear Principles and increasing defense expenditure.
Jiang emphasized the immutable historical reality of Japan’s WWII defeat, citing international instruments including the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation, and Japanese Instrument of Surrender that explicitly prohibit Japanese rearmament. “Any attempt to repeat the evil path of aggression and expansion and undermine the post-WWII international order will not succeed,” the spokesman declared.
The defense official expressed particular concern about Japan’s alleged military interference in Taiwan affairs, characterizing such moves as serious threats to regional stability. Jiang’s statements coincided with the 80th anniversary commemorations of victory in both the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Concluding with a powerful historical warning, Jiang stated: “People around the world, especially those from China and other victimized countries in Asia, will never forget the catastrophe brought by Japanese fascists. The specter of Japanese militarism must never be allowed to haunt the world again.”