China refutes Japanese defense report
(CCTV.com)
Updated: 2004-09-17 16:16

The Chinese government has rebutted a Japanese defense report, which describes China as a future military threat.

At a press conference on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan reiterated Beijing's policy of developing friendship with its regional neighbors.

Kong Quan said: "The view cited in the report was from the think tank of a Japanese leader. It shows that a very limited number of Japanese are turning a blind eye to the facts. Some figures may help to understand the facts. China's defense budget last year was about US$25 billion. Though only one 25th of China's area, and having only one tenth of China's population, Japan's defense budget the same year was over US$60 billion. It is clear the report was ignoring the facts."

"China has been reiterating its policy of seeking a friendly, peaceful and mutually beneficial relationship with its neighbors. What we pursue is regional exchanges, cooperation and prosperity for all. I also believe that the majority of the Japanese people will not agree with the report," Kong said.

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