China will never allow resurgence of Japanese militarism: foreign ministry

BEIJING -- Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that militarism must never be revived in Japan, the post-WWII international order must never be challenged, and world peace and stability must never be ruined again.

Mao's remarks came after several Japanese officials reportedly said that Japan is planning to revise its Self-Defense Force's ranking system, including reinstating old Japanese military ranks, such as "Taisa" (colonel). Media comments say that this will break the Self-Defense Force's convention of downplaying its military nature over the years, and this is adding insult to injury for nations that have suffered from Japanese colonial rule and aggression.

Mao told a regular press briefing that due to Japan's history of colonial rule and aggression, Japan's military and security moves have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. The Potsdam Proclamation explicitly stipulates that Japan shall not be permitted to "re-arm for war," said Mao, adding that the Japanese Constitution, which enshrines pacifism, also established Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy.

"It is alarming, however, that in recent years, Japan has drastically readjusted its security and defense policy, increased defense budget year after year, relaxed restrictions on arms export, sought to develop offensive weapons, and planned to abandon its three non-nuclear principles," Mao noted.

Japan's far-right forces are trying every means to break free from the pacifist constitution, and going further down the path of boosting Japan's military buildup, she added.

The spokesperson said that the war of aggression waged by Japanese militarism inflicted profound sufferings on Asia and the world. Amnesia of war spells disaster; war-mongering spells doom. Lessons from history must not be forgotten, distorted, or even erased, she noted.