China has expressed concerns over recent military and security cooperation between the United States and Japan, urging both nations not to target any third country or undermine regional peace and stability. Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the remarks on Monday.
Guo was responding to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s statement on Sunday, in which he described Japan as a “warrior country” that is “indispensable for tackling Chinese aggression.”
Guo accused the U.S. of instigating ideological antagonism and stoking division by labeling China as a “threat.” He said, “By using China as a pretext, the U.S. is inciting certain countries to become cannon fodder for its pursuit of supremacy.”
He called on regional countries to remain vigilant and guard against such practices.
Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Guo urged Japan to learn from history and exercise prudence in military and security matters.
On the Taiwan question, the spokesperson reiterated that it is purely China’s internal affair. “Resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese ourselves that no one can interfere with,” he stressed.
Guo urged certain individuals in the U.S. to abandon the illusion of “using Taiwan to contain China,” adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and honor their commitments on Taiwan-related issues.
He also highlighted Japan’s historical responsibility, noting that Japan had committed aggression against Taiwan and exercised colonial rule over the island. “Japan should abide by the principles of the four political documents between China and Japan, act prudently on the Taiwan question, and refrain from sending the wrong signals to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” he said.
