By Shannon Tiezzi
China’s response to the approval of Japanese collective self-defense shows a more nuanced Japan strategy.
As Clint reported earlier today, Shinzo Abe’s LDP has succeeded in reaching an agreement with New Komeito to lift the ban on Japan’s ability to engage in collective self-defense. China has been vocal in opposing any moves that give Tokyo more freedom to build up and make use of military force. Surprisingly, then, the response was fairly muted. It focused not on how Abe’s collective self-defense policy will affect China, but how it will affect Japan itself.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei expressed China’s concern over the move. With Japan “stirring up troubles on historical issues” while also loosening restrictions on its security forces, Hong said, “People cannot [help] but question whether Japan is deviating from the path of peaceful development that it has been upholding since the end of WWII.” Hong also warned that Japan “must not undermine China’s sovereignty and security interests.”
However, much of China’s focus after the announcement was on Japanese domestic opposition to the move. Hong noted in his press conference that “there are strong objections in Japan to the lifting of the ban on the collective self-defense right.” He added, “It is the general public of Japan that should have the final say” on Japan’s future.
Read the full story at The Diplomat