Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded after Tokyo published its 2026
defense white paper, which labels China the "greatest strategic challenge" and
says defense investment will support Japan's economy. Lin said China strongly
objects and has lodged stern representations, accusing Tokyo of smearing China,
blatantly interfering in Taiwan affairs, and accelerating "re‑militarization" in
breach of Japan's constitution and international law. China said the white paper
promotes the development of long-range offensive capabilities and "new forms of
warfare" and repackages military-industrial expansion as an economic growth
driver, calling the trend a prominent threat to regional peace and stability and
urging Japan to halt its military buildup.
