China on Tuesday criticized Japan for irresponsibly lambasting Beijing's normal military activities, immediately after Tokyo voiced fears about them in its annual defense report.
"It is extremely irresponsible (for Japan) to accuse China's normal national defense construction and military activities," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters.
(Hua Chunying)
Japan's latest defense white paper, released Tuesday, said China's rapid modernization of the military and escalation of activities in areas close to Japan are "generating strong security concerns in the region and international community."
Hua said, "Japan should not seek various excuses for its expansion of armaments."
