Update | Beijing blasts Japan's defence spending plans
Programmeto boost spending on Tokyo's military over next five years amid unresolved maritime row is 'resolutely opposed' by Beijing
The defence ministry yesterday lashed out at Japan's plans to boost military spending, accusing Tokyo of raising regional tensions under the pretext of safeguarding national security.
China "resolutely opposes" the five-year defence plan adopted by Japan on Tuesday, spokesman Geng Yansheng said in a statement posted on the ministry's website. Japan "continues to deny its history of [second world war] aggression, challenge the post-war order, and harm the feelings of the people of those victimised nations".
The strongly worded statement marks the latest salvo in the string of accusations over who is responsible for a sharp rise in tensions in the East China Sea.
It also contrasted a rare courtesy call described as "friendly" on Friday between Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Cheng Yonghua , China's ambassador to Tokyo.
China's military has taken an increasingly hawkish stance amid a bitter dispute with Tokyo over uninhabited islands in the sea controlled by Japan but claimed by China. Japan's nationalisation of the islands in September last year sparked violent demonstrations in several Chinese cities.
In the months since, Chinese patrol vessels have routinely confronted Japanese ships in the area, sparking international fears of an incident.