China Concerned about Security Policy of Japan's Abe

Beijing, May 26 (Jiji Press)--China expressed its concerns over Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's security policy in a white paper on its military strategy that was released Tuesday. "Japan is sparing no effort to dodge the postwar mechanism, overhauling its military and security policies," the white paper says. This is the first time in two years that China has released a defense white paper. "Such development has caused grave concerns among other countries in the region," the paper says. China's concerns apparently reflect the Abe government's move to allow Japan to exercise the right to collective self-defense based on a cabinet decision in July last year to change the government's constitutional interpretation to enable it to lift the self-imposed ban on the use of the right. With the United States in mind, the paper says, "Some external countries are also busy meddling in South China Sea affairs," adding that "a tiny few maintain constant close-in air and sea surveillance and reconnaissance against China." China is rapidly constructing artificial islands in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, increasing tensions with the United States. "It is thus a long-standing task for China to safeguard its maritime rights and interests," the white paper says, suggesting that Beijing will not compromise over the issue. On U.S. President Barack Obama's policy of rebalancing toward Asia, the white paper says the United States "enhances its military presence and military alliances in this region." In the paper, the Chinese government clarified its policy of maintaining readiness for military struggle, as crafted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. While noting that "a world war is unlikely," the paper says that "the world still faces both immediate and potential threats of local wars." END