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China digs up Japan's historic rule over PH to criticize RAA

Philippines | National

China digs up Japan's historic rule over PH to criticize RAA

By Joseph Pedrajas

China has dug up Japan's colonial history with the Philippines to criticize its signing of a military deal with Manila that came amid Beijing's continued harassment in the West Philippine Sea.

Lin Jian, spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said it is Japan that "bears serious historical responsibilities for its aggression and colonial rule over the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries during WWII."

Lin said "Japan needs to reflect on that part of history" and must "act prudently in fields related to military and security."

His criticism came on Monday, July 8, following Japan and the Philippines' historic signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that will allow both sides to exchange troops and train them together to be able to respond to threats against an open and free Indo-Pacific region.

Lin said any exchange and cooperation between countries "should not undermine the mutual understanding and trust between other countries in the region."

"It should not threaten regional peace and stability, target any third party, or harm the interests of any third party," he added.

Lin said the Asia-Pacific region, which is currently volatile amid various conflicts, "does not need any military bloc, still less groupings that incite bloc confrontation or a new Cold War."

But he then warned that "people in regional countries" will meet with "vigilance and opposition" moves that will supposedly undermine regional peace and stability, and harm regional solidarity and cooperation.

Related Tags

Reciprocal Access Agreement West Philippine Sea Lin Jian

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