Japan urged to earnestly respect security concerns of neighboring countries: spokesperson

BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Tuesday urged Japan to earnestly respect the security concerns of neighboring countries and deeply reflect on its history of aggression.

According to media reports, the Japanese government decided to lift the ban on the export of next-generation fighter jets set to be jointly developed with Britain and Italy at a Cabinet meeting and revised the implementation guidelines of Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology at the national security conference.

"China noted relevant reports and expresses grave concern over the decision," spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily news briefing when answering a relevant query.

Lin said given Japan's not-too-distant history of militarist aggression, Japan's military and security moves are closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community.

In recent years, Japan has been drastically readjusting its security policy, increasing defense spending year after year, relaxing restrictions on arms export and seeking military breakthroughs. These moves trigger serious concerns among Japan's neighboring countries and the international community, Lin said.

"We urge Japan to earnestly respect the security concerns of neighboring countries, deeply reflect on its history of aggression, commit itself to the path of peaceful development and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions," Lin added.