China condemns Japan's defense white paper for spreading false narratives

China's Ministry of National Defense criticised Japan's new annual defence white paper, saying it spreads "false narratives" and exaggerates regional security tensions. Spokesperson Chen Si argued the document unjustly portrays Chinese military development as the "biggest strategic challenge" and uses the so‑called "Chinese threat" to justify Japan's own military expansion.

He warned that Japan's accelerated defence spending, development of long‑range capabilities, and activities in space and new technologies pose a risk to regional peace and stability. Chen highlighted the Taiwan issue as a matter of Chinese sovereignty and urged Japan to stop interfering in China’s internal affairs and to avoid a path of "remilitarisation".