Japan Should Stop Sowing Discord in the South China Sea: Defense Spokesperson

BEIJING, Sept. 24 -- "We urge the Japanese side to offer a clear explanation of its accelerating 'remilitarization' efforts, and stop sowing discord and undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea," said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference on Thursday. In the wake of the incident provoked by a Philippine government vessel near Xianbin Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao, the Japanese Embassy in the Philippines quickly posted on social media that it's "gravely concerned" over the "dangerous actions" by China, and portrayed itself as "upholding the rule of law and opposing any actions which increase tensions". In response, the spokesperson pointed out that it's clear and evident that the Philippine government vessel made provocations near Xianbin Jiao and deliberately rammed a China Coast Guard vessel. Though Japan is not a country directly involved in the South China Sea issue, it has actively joined the Philippine side in distorting facts.The real intention is to make waves in the South China Sea and fish in muddy waters. The spokesperson then emphasized that the Chinese side firmly opposes this behavior. He added that the Japanese side has been strengthening its collusion with the Philippines by providing weapons and sending troops to the Philippines for joint exercises, during which it launched offensive missiles overseas for the first time. "The Japanese side is attempting to break away from the post-war international order and revive its old dream of military expansion. This is a real threat to regional peace and stability," stressed the spokesperson.