TOKYO — Japan called on China on Nov. 8 to use its sea power peacefully, after President Hu Jintao staked a claim in Beijing for his country to become a maritime force.
Tokyo said its neighbor must act as a “responsible member of the international community,” a challenge it has made to Beijing repeatedly in recent months as tempers have flared over a disputed island chain.
“It is not surprising to hear leaders in (China) speak about their intention to engage in maritime activities,” Naoko Saiki, deputy press secretary at the foreign ministry, told reporters in Tokyo.
“But those activities must be carried out in a peaceful manner based on international law.”
The comments came hours after Hu told the five-yearly Communist Party congress that Beijing should “resolutely safeguard China’s maritime rights and interests, and build China into a maritime power”.
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