On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Japan should not exaggerate the so-called “China threat” in order to erode regional confidence and cooperation.

He made the statements during a news conference in reaction to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s comments that the scenario in Ukraine may be reproduced in East Asia.

Zhao accused Japan of exacerbating regional tensions by using the so-called “China threat” as a justification to strengthen its own military, which is detrimental to regional peace and stability.
According to Zhao, the Taiwan issue is wholly domestic to China and cannot be compared to the situation in Ukraine.

He stated that because Japan holds significant historical responsibility to the Chinese people, Japanese officials should exercise extreme caution when it comes to the Taiwan issue.

Japan should immediately cease inciting conflict between major nations and do more to promote East Asian peace and stability, he added.

Zhao went on to say that China resolutely defends its territorial sovereignty as well as its maritime rights and interests, and that it is prepared to resolve problems via discussion and consultation with relevant nations.