China warns Japan over signal of nuclear policy shift

China has reacted sharply to indications of a potential shift in Japan's nuclear policy, saying that Japan's nuclear ambitions are a "red line" that should not be crossed under any circumstances.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin described recent remarks by Japan's Defence Minister as highly provocative and dangerous. He said such statements reveal the inconsistency and hypocrisy of Japan's position before the international community.

Japan's Defence Minister recently called for an open discussion on the country's nuclear weapons policy, including its long-standing 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles' — not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into its territory.

China has claimed that any move away from these principles would contravene international obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). It would weaken the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and pose a threat to the post-war international security system.

Source: CMG