BEIJING — China has denounced Japan’s plans to boost military purchases, accusing it of playing up regional tensions as an “excuse” to ramp up defense spending.
The cabinet of hawkish Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed Tuesday to spend ¥24.7 trillion ($240 billion) between 2014 and 2019 — a five percent boost to the military budget over five years.
Japan plans to purchase stealth fighters, drones and submarines as part of its efforts to boost military hardware that will beef up defense of far-flung islands amid a simmering territorial row with China.
China is “firmly opposed” to Japan’s spending plans, defense ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said in a statement released late Friday.
He accused Tokyo of playing up the perceived military threat from China as an “excuse” to expand its military.
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