China's Ministry of National Defense has sharply rebuked recent Japanese criticism of its 2026 military spending, with spokesperson Jiang Bin accusing Tokyo of employing "thief crying 'stop thief'" tactics to justify its own military expansion.
Transparency vs. Ambition
Jiang emphasized China's defense budget remains at 1.5% of GDP – below both NATO's 2% benchmark and US spending levels – during a Wednesday press conference. "Every yuan of China's military expenditure serves to protect sovereignty and maintain global peace," he stated, noting full disclosure of budget allocations.
Historical Shadows, Modern Tensions
The spokesperson highlighted Japan's 14 consecutive years of defense spending growth, with a 60% increase since 2021 pushing its military budget to 2% of GDP. "Japan's per capita military spending triples China's," Jiang noted, "while pursuing offensive capabilities that violate its pacifist constitution."
Regional Security at Stake
Analysts suggest the exchange reflects deepening strategic competition as Japan accelerates military modernization. Jiang urged Tokyo to "confront historical responsibilities" under post-WWII agreements rather than "manufacture threats" through what he called misleading narratives.
