Beijing warns Japan’s NATO alignment could heighten regional tensions

China expressed "grave concern" on Monday (June 1) over Japan's decision to deepen cooperation with NATO after Tokyo announced it would send personnel to a NATO mission supporting Ukraine for the first time.

Japanese authorities said they would dispatch four members of the Self-Defense Forces to NATO's Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine headquarters in Germany, marking a new step in security cooperation between Japan and the Western military alliance, Caliber.Az reports, citing Xinhua.

Responding to the move, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian accused Japan of accelerating military expansion and strengthening ties with a military organisation outside the Asia-Pacific region.

"Japan has been pursuing remilitarization at full throttle, engaging in frequent interactions with a military organization from outside the region, expanding the scope of activities of its Self-Defence Forces, and building a combat-ready operational system," Lin told a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Lin said the developments reflected a broader shift in Japan's security posture.

"This is Japan trying to break free from the constraints of its Constitution, domestic and international laws, and its 'exclusively defence-oriented' principle, challenging the postwar international order," Lin said, adding that Japan portrays itself as a "peace-loving country", but its actions are in the very opposite direction.

Noting the malevolent emergence of neo-militarism in Japan is putting regional peace and stability under threat, he called on the international community to stay on high alert and take resolute countermeasures. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev