China accuses Japan of destabilising regional security after Tokyo approves security bills
Japanese troops can fight overseas for the first time since the second world war. Many are concerned this could fundamentally the pacifist nation
China on Saturday accused Japan of destabilising regional security after its parliament approved contentious security bills expanding the role of its military overseas.
Calling the approval an “unprecedented” step taken by post-war Japan, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said in a statement that Japan’s “recent military buildup and drastic changes to its military and security policies are out of step with the trend of the times featuring peace, development and cooperation.”
The passage of the bills took place a day after China marked the 84th anniversary of the Mukden Incident, which led to the launch of Japan’s invasion of China’s northeastern provinces.
Japan’s Self-Defence Forces can now defend the United States and other allies that come under attack, which previous governments have regarded as counter to its war-renouncing Constitution.
The spokesman said the change makes China and the rest of the world wonder if Japan will abandon the exclusive defence policy it has been maintaining since the end of the second world war.