China Comments on Japan's New Defense Guidelines

China follows a path of peaceful development, while pursuing a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and does not constitute a threat to anyone else, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on December 17, responding for China to new Japanese defense guidelines.

Reports said the guidelines, adopted the same day, claimed China's military development and lack of transparency were matters of concern to the region and the international community.

"A certain country has no right to act as a representative of the international community and make irresponsible remarks on China's development," said Jiang.

China's development in the past three decades has brought huge opportunities to the rest of the world, including Japan, she said.

China Urges Restraint on the Korean Peninsula

China urged all parties involved to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid future unfortunate incidents on the Korean Peninsula, as the situation is still complicated and sensitive, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on December 21.

South Korea staged live-fire artillery drills near the sensitive area of the Yeonpyeong Island on the previous day. North Korea did not launch an attack in response as it had warned.

China hopes all sides remain in contact and resume dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, Jiang said. They should resolve their concerns through the six-party talks, which involve North Korea, South Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

Jiang said preserving peace and stability on the peninsula is in the interest of all, and China will always play a constructive role.

The current situation highlights the necessity and urgency of emergency consultations among the heads of delegations to the six-party talks, she said.

In an earlier press conference, Jiang said China has repeatedly stressed armed conflicts would cause suffering to both North Koreans and South Koreans while undermining regional peace and stability and affecting neighboring countries.