Warning against Japan’s military build-up surfaces at Beijing Xiangshan conference
Chinese panellists and experts at the Xiangshan Forum have warned against Japan’s remilitarisation amid reports that Tokyo is considering raising its midterm defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP. Japan might raise its midterm budget to 3-3.5 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product in line with Nato and other US allies, Bloomberg reported earlier this week, as the US pushes its allies…
At the Beijing Xiangshan defence conference, Chinese experts have cautioned against Japan's potential military build-up. Reports suggest that Tokyo may raise its defense spending to 3-3.5% of GDP, aligning with NATO and other US allies. Zhou Rong, a senior fellow at Renmin University's Chongyang Institute, noted that the US factor is not the only driver of Japan's decision, as domestic conservative forces also oppose China and view it as a threat.
Japan is accelerating its defense spending and revising its security documents, aiming to surpass 2% of GDP in defense spending ahead of schedule. Critics warn that Japan risks becoming the "Israel of East Asia," a comparison that could be detrimental to regional stability. Japan is acquiring advanced weaponry, expanding defense partnerships, and shifting away from its post-WWII pacifism.
However, PLA Colonel Xiao Tiefeng cautioned that Japan must reflect on its history of aggression and not pursue militarization.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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