Chinese Officials Criticize Japan's Historical Reflection, Territorial Claims, and Military Expansion

In December 2025, at a seminar on international relations and Chinese diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. He criticized Japan for failing to reflect on its wartime atrocities and for its current leaders challenging China’s territorial sovereignty, the historical conclusions of WWII, and the post-war international order. Wang Yi emphasized the need for vigilance against the resurgence of Japanese militarism and called for the defense of the hard-won peace and stability.

At a regular press conference on December 25, Major General Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, responded to reports about Japan's progress in satellite interference technology and its plan to reorganize the Air Self-Defense Force into the 'Aerospace Self-Defense Force' by 2026. Zhang stated that Japan's actions are accelerating the weaponization of space and the arms race, posing a threat to peace and security in space. Given Japan's history of militarism, this offensive space policy has raised concerns about the possibility of a 'space Pearl Harbor' event recurring.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, expressed shock at the public statement by a high-ranking official from the Japanese Prime Minister's office, who suggested that Japan should possess nuclear weapons. Lin Jian stated that this comment is a provocation to the post-war international order and the nuclear non-proliferation system. He further emphasized that such a stance threatens regional peace and stability and contradicts Japan's proclaimed path of peaceful development. Lin Jian highlighted that the statement seriously violates international legal obligations and undermines the peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. He also pointed out that it reflects the ambition of the right-wing forces in Japan to pursue 're-militarization'. Lin Jian warned that if the right-wing forces in Japan continue to push for the development of offensive weapons, including nuclear weapons, it will have serious consequences for the international community.

On December 10, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated at a regular press conference that Japan's accelerated military expansion would only raise questions about its future and prompt the international community to re-examine its historical crimes. China called on all peace-loving countries to be vigilant and prevent the resurgence of Japanese militarism, working together to safeguard the outcomes of World War II.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that collective self-defense, as per the UN Charter, is aimed at maintaining international security and preventing the resurgence of fascist forces. After World War II, Japan was restricted from exercising this right, with the Potsdam Proclamation prohibiting its rearmament. Japan's constitution also commits to renouncing war and the use of force in settling disputes, establishing a principle of exclusive defense. On the 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the international community must be vigilant and prevent the revival of militarism, working together to uphold the post-war order and peace.