China backs Russia's 'enemy state' remarks on Japan, warns against militarism

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By The South Asia Times

BEIJING - China has expressed support for Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's recent comments regarding Japan's designation as an "enemy state" under the UN Charter, warning against what it described as Japan's dangerous drift toward remilitarization.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian echoed Lavrov's remarks, stating that the "Enemy State Clauses" — particularly Article 107 of the UN Charter — remain an important provision with binding force.

"As we mark 80 years of the Tokyo Trials, reaffirming these clauses and underlining their binding force is of particular importance for defending the outcomes of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War and thwarting the resurrection of militarism," Lin said.

The spokesperson took aim at Japan's current administration under Prime Minister Takaichi, accusing it of "sidestepping the issue of historical crimes with no sign of remorse" and attempting to "whitewash and glorify" its wartime past.

Lin further reminded Japan that international legal instruments, including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, remain binding, and that fulfilling these obligations is "the political and legal prerequisite for Japan to be readmitted to the international community."

Beijing's unusually sharp criticism comes amid growing regional tensions and follows Japan's recent moves to expand its defense capabilities, including increased military spending and closer security cooperation with the United States and other allies.

"All peace-loving nations need to jointly reject and check Japanese right-wing forces' dangerous pursuit so as to safeguard the outcomes of WWII victory and the postwar international order," Lin added.

The comments are likely to further strain already tense relations between Beijing and Tokyo, which have been marked by disputes over territorial claims, historical grievances, and competing regional influence.