Japan defence paper points at China's growing military reach

[ErnstBlofeld]

Space War:

 

Japan voiced concern over China's growing military muscle in a defence paper Friday, as a row with Beijing continued over the arrest of a Chinese trawler captain in disputed waters.

In its annual Defence of Japan report, Tokyo pointed to increased Chinese naval activities near its shores, including tense incidents this year in which Chinese helicopters staged close fly-bys of Japanese warships.

 

As it has in past years, the defence ministry report, approved by Prime Minister Naoto Kan's cabinet in the morning, urged Beijing to be clearer about its military spending, including on its blue-water fleet.

 

"China has been intensifying its maritime activities, including those in waters near Japan," the document said, adding that Beijing had failed to "disclose a clear, specific future vision of its military modernisation".

 

"The lack of transparency of its national defence policies and the military activities are a matter of concern for the region and the international community, including Japan, which require prudent analysis," it said.

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2010 by Rheo
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