China's Ministry of National Defense Urges Japan to Stop Stoking Trouble Over the South China Sea Issue

On September 24, China's Ministry of National Defense held a regular press conference. Spokesperson Jiang Bin responded to Japan's remarks related to the South China Sea, urging Japan to stop stirring up trouble on the South China Sea issue and stop undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea. In response to Japan's statement on the incident involving a Philippine public vessel in the waters near Xianbin Reef in the Nansha Islands, Jiang Bin said that China believes the facts are clear. As a country outside the South China Sea region, Japan should not ignore the facts and follow the Philippines in distorting right and wrong, and it should certainly not use this to stir up trouble in the South China Sea. Jiang Bin also noted that Japan's recent moves in areas such as the Taiwan Strait, military exercises, and missile facility construction on the Southwestern Islands reflect a tendency to accelerate its "remilitarization." He said the international community should remain vigilant, and Japan should first explain its own relevant actions rather than making irresponsible comments on the South China Sea issue.