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China on Friday voiced firm opposition to a resurgence of Japanese militarism in response to a new military logistics agreement between Japan and the Philippines.

Photo: Chinese foreign ministry

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun was responding to a question at a routine press briefing in Beijing about an agreement signed by Tokyo and Manila recently to enhance mutual support and cooperation on military logistics.

China has always believed that cooperation between countries should not target any third party or harm the interests of third parties, Guo said. Nor should it undermine regional peace and stability, the ministry spokesperson said.

"During World War II, Japanese militarists invaded the Philippines, persecuted the Philippine people by force and coercion, and brutally killed Chinese diplomatic and consular officials," he said. "That part of history must be remembered, those atrocities must be accounted for, and justice must be delivered for such crimes."

Voices from Southeast Asian countries and the international community criticizing Japan's military and security moves "have been constant," Guo said.

"Instead of reflecting and restraining itself, Japan has fabricated excuses to expand its military, export lethal weapons and expose the attempts of right-wing forces in Japan to push for re-militarization and return to the old path of military expansion," he said. "All peace-loving countries and people should resolutely oppose the resurgence of Japanese militarism and re-militarization, and uphold regional peace and stability."