Spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, during a press briefing on September 24, 2020, Beijing, China (People's Republic of China Ministry of National Defense)

The Chinese Defense Ministry stated Thursday that Japan had accentuated "external threats" in recent years, and as a result, its defense budget was amplified amid re-militarization attempts which China considered "very dangerous".

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Tan Kefei explained that Beijing believed Japan should refrain from taking actions that would threaten regional peace or stability.

"We urge the Japanese side to earnestly learn from the lessons of history, be cautious in words and deeds in matters of military security," Tan told a press briefing.

Moreover, the spokesperson rebutted arguments against China and said that "what needs to be emphasized is that China's limited defense expenditure is entirely for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and for maintaining world and regional peace and stability."

Beijing asserted that while adversaries have tried to demonize it and portray it as a menace to international peace, its military spending for defensive purposes is a relatively small portion of its economic output.

It is noteworthy that on December 16, 2022, the Kishida administration issued three strategic documents: the National Security Strategy (NSS), the National Defense Strategy (NDS), and the Defense Buildup Program.

The NSS described China as "the greatest strategic challenge" for Japan and the international community. The DPRK and Russia are also cited as "strategic threats" to Japan.

On September 1, 2022, the Japanese Defense Ministry declared a record-high military budget request for 2023 of nearly 5.6 trillion yen ($41.4 billion). This sum only contains the costs that the ministry was prepared to disclose. According to experts and the media, the actual requested budget is 6.5 trillion yen.