At a press conference on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Chinese mainland's Ministry of National Defense, Jiang Bin, voiced serious concern over Japan's latest military push. He pointed out that Japan's plan to ask for a record-high $60.2 billion (8.8 trillion yen) defense budget for FY2026 goes beyond "exclusive defense." 🤔
One highlight: Japan plans to upgrade its Type-12 land-to-ship guided missile and station it in Kyushu—just across the East China Sea from eastern China. With an extended range that covers coastal areas of the Chinese mainland, the move has many on edge about regional security. 🌏💥
Jiang Bin reminded audiences that 80 years ago, Japanese militarism brought deep suffering across Asia. "History has shown us the cost of aggressive expansion," he said, urging Japan to "deeply reflect on its history of aggression" and respect the security concerns of its Asian neighbors. 🕊️
As youth-driven movements in South and Southeast Asia champion peace and cooperation, many are watching closely. Can history guide today's decisions? Only time will tell if Tokyo heeds the call and keeps the peace in our fast-paced region. ✌️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
