China expresses concern after Japan's passage of security bills

BEIJING - China called on Japan to refrain from damaging China's sovereignty and security interests after the passage of controversial security bills in Japan's lower house Thursday.

Japan's ruling coalition forced the passage of the bills amid strong public opposition, marking the most significant overturn of the nation's "purely defensive" military posture.

The bills, which are considered in violation of the country's war-renouncing Constitution by about 90 percent of constitutional experts in Japan, will enable Japan's Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to engage in armed conflicts overseas and help defend others even if Japan is not attacked, or exercise the right to collective defense.

"Due to historical reasons, Japan's military and security developments have been closely watched by Asian neighbors and the international community," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

"The passage of the bills in the lower house of the nation's Diet is an unprecedented move from Japan since the end of World War II, which may lead to a major change in the country's military and security policies," Hua said.

People are justified to question whether Japan will give up its defense posture or change from the peaceful development path it has taken since the end of World War II, Hua said.

"We have noticed that the controversial security bills have also raised strong opposition in Japan." Hua said.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti- Facists War.

"At a time when people are remembering history and hoping for peace, we solemnly urged Japan to draw lessons from history and stick to the path of peaceful development," Hua said.

She called on Japan to respect the major security concerns of Japan's neighboring countries and not do things that damage China's sovereignty and security interests, and those harming regional security and stability.

Major opposition parties skipped the vote after their statements in the plenary session. The latest poll released Tuesday by the Asahi Shimbun showed that about 56 percent of Japanese population opposed the bills, while only 26 percent showed their support.