Beijing: A Chinese military spokesperson on Monday criticized Japan for exaggerating China's routine military exercises as a security threat, asserting that such actions will not succeed in diverting attention from real issues or shifting blame.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, addressed remarks made by the Japanese regarding a recent training exercise involving Chinese carrier-based aircraft. Jiang provided details of the incident, stating that on December 6, the Chinese naval task group, led by PLANS Liaoning and including PLANS Nangchang (101), informed the Japanese that aircraft carrier-based flight training would occur. The Japanese vessel, JS Teruzuki (116), acknowledged receipt of this notification.
Jiang further explained that PLANS Nangchang (101) once again alerted the Japanese that the training would commence at 3:00 p.m. and last approximately six hours, primarily south of the carrier. JS Teruzuki (116) confirmed the message once more. Despite this communication, Japanese fighter jets entered the training area multiple times, which Jiang claimed was an act of harassment toward the Chinese side. He emphasized that Japan should be held accountable for any risks to flight safety resulting from these actions.
Jiang accused Japan of misleading its citizens and the international community by portraying China's regular military training as a security threat, while simultaneously painting itself as a victim. He urged Japan to confront the core issues affecting China-Japan relations and to reflect on and correct its actions.
Additionally, Jiang addressed a media inquiry regarding memorial activities across China for the 12th National Memorial Day for Nanjing Massacre Victims. He labeled the Japanese invasion and massacre in Nanjing on December 13, 1937, as "heinous crimes" and called on Japan to reflect deeply on its wartime atrocities against Asian nations, including China, and to cease actions that distort or whitewash its history of aggression.