China slams Japan's "free and open Indo-Pacific" vision

China has criticized Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" vision, accusing it of promoting division and confrontation rather than regional cooperation, Xinhua reports.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun dismissed the initiative, saying it does not reflect the interests of countries across the region.

"Ostensibly, it champions openness and freedom, but its real agenda is about division and confrontation," Guo said.

He added that the concept "runs counter to the shared aspiration of regional countries for peace, development and cooperation."

By Vafa Guliyeva