Members of the People’s Liberation Army during the flag lowering ceremony at the Memorial Hall of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CCP) amid the celebrations of the CCP 105 anniversary, in Shanghai, China, 01 July 2026. China celebrates the 105th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Chinese Communist Party on 01 July. Photo by ALEX PLAVEVSKI / EPA
Aug. 5 (Asia Today) — China strongly criticized Japan’s 2026 defense white paper Wednesday, accusing Tokyo of promoting a “China threat” narrative to justify its military expansion.
Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Chen Xi said the Japanese report was filled with what he described as false narratives and exaggerated security threats in the region.
“Japan’s latest defense white paper is filled with false narratives, extensively exaggerates a ‘regional security crisis’ and hypes the so-called ‘China threat,'” Chen said in a statement released by the ministry.
Chen said Japan was attempting to deflect attention from its own policies and create a pretext for removing constraints on its military capabilities.
“China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition,” he said.
The response came after Japan’s Cabinet adopted the annual defense report Tuesday. The document described China’s foreign policy and military activities as Japan’s “greatest and unprecedented strategic challenge.”
China criticizes Japan’s military expansion
Chen accused the Japanese government of accelerating revisions to its three principal national security documents, steadily increasing defense spending and strengthening long-range strike capabilities.
He also criticized Tokyo for presenting the expansion of its defense industry as a source of technological innovation and economic growth.
Japan’s white paper said a stronger domestic defense industry could contribute to economic prosperity by encouraging investment, supporting startups and developing advanced technologies. The report comes as Tokyo pursues its largest military buildup since World War II and seeks to raise defense spending to about 2% of gross domestic product.
Chen said Japan was seeking to embed military expansion and preparations for conflict in its national institutions, economy, industry and public opinion.
He also accused what he called “new Japanese militarism” of challenging the postwar international order and posing a threat to regional peace and stability.
Taiwan remains central point of dispute
Chen said Taiwan was a matter involving China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the political foundation of relations between Beijing and Tokyo.
“The Taiwan question is a red line that must not be crossed,” he said.
China has repeatedly protested comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting that an attack on Taiwan could create a security emergency requiring a response by Japan’s Self-Defense Forces. Takaichi has served as Japan’s prime minister since October 2025.
Japan’s defense white paper said Chinese military activity around Taiwan was becoming more frequent and that the military balance across the Taiwan Strait was shifting rapidly in Beijing’s favor.
China maintains that Taiwan is part of its territory and says the issue is an internal matter in which Japan has no right to interfere. Beijing lodged a formal diplomatic protest with Tokyo over the white paper.
Japan highlights expanding Chinese capabilities
Japan’s report said China was continuing to increase defense spending while modernizing its nuclear weapons, missiles, naval vessels and aircraft.
It also devoted substantial attention to Chinese aircraft carrier operations in the Pacific, military activity around Taiwan and expanding defense cooperation between China and Russia.
Maps in the report showed Chinese naval and air operations extending beyond the First Island Chain and farther into the western Pacific.
The white paper assessed Japan’s security environment as the most severe and complex it has faced since the end of World War II, citing the combined military activities of China, North Korea and Russia.
Japan’s Defense Ministry publishes the white paper annually to explain the country’s security assessment, defense policies and military development plans.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260805010001752
