Rivalry out in open: Japan labels China 'greatest strategic challenge'
Japan's latest defense white paper has labeled China as its 'greatest strategic challenge,' prompting a sharp rebuke from Beijing. China accused Japan of interfering in its internal affairs regarding Taiwan and rejected the narrative of a 'China threat.'
Why it matters
This escalation reflects growing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and the hardening of military alliances.
China said it has lodged "serious representations" over Japan's latest defence white paper, accusing Tokyo of portraying Beijing as its "greatest strategic challenge" and making "brazen comments" on Taiwan."The white paper once again targeted China with baseless accusations, repeated the so-called 'China threat' narrative and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs by making brazen comments on Taiwan," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jing said."We strongly deplore and firmly reject this, and have lodged serious representations with Japan," he added.Lin also defended China's military drills around Taiwan, describing the self-governing island claimed by Beijing as "an inalienable part of China's territory.""The Taiwan question is entirely China's internal affair.
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