China tells Phl, Japan: Let's move towards same direction

MANILA, Philippines — After President Benigno Aquino III expressed his support for a larger Japanese military role, China said the Philippines and Japan should not escalate tensions in disputed waters.

China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said they noted the remarks made by Aquino during his visit to Japan, wherein he backed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's proposal to reinterpret Japan's constitution to allow its military to defend allies that come under attack.

"It is our opinion that relevant countries should show sincerity and move towards the same direction with China, rather than deliberately stir up tension and bring additional complicated factors to the regional situation," Hua said in a press briefing.

"We hope that interactions between countries concerned can inject positive energy to the maintaining of regional peace and stability and play a constructive role, not the opposite," she added.

Hua said due to historical reasons, China pays close attention to Japan's policy changes concerning military security which "raise common concern" from its Asian neighbors and the international community.

She also urged Japan to pursue peace and respect neighboring countries' "legitimate and reasonable" concerns on security.

Abe and Aquino met last Tuesday to deepen security ties in the face of China's military expansion and territorial disputes both they and other Asian nations have with China in the South and East China seas.

In a joint statement, both leaders referred to the changing security environment in the region, though they did not mention China by name.

China has criticized Japan's push for collective self-defense, warning against the return of the Japanese militarism that wreaked havoc across much of Asia before and during World War II.

Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is in the midst of tough negotiations with its coalition partner over his proposal to reinterpret the Japanese constitution to allow what is known as collective self-defense.

Under the current interpretation of the constitution, the Japanese military can use force only to defend Japan.

"We believe that nations of goodwill can only benefit if the Japanese government is empowered to assist others and is allowed the wherewithal to come to the aid of those in need, especially in the area of collective self-defense," Aquino said after meeting with Abe. - Louis Bacani with AP

Related story: Aquino: Beneficial if Japan can defend allies under attack