In this Jan. 19, 2021 file photo, a soldier holds a Taiwanese flag during a military exercise aimed at repelling an attack from China in Hsinchu County, northern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

       BEIJING (Kyodo) -- China on Tuesday lambasted Japan for touching on the importance of stability in the Taiwan Strait in its annual defense report for the first time, reiterating its determination to reunify the self-ruled island with the mainland.

       Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters, "China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes" the report, which also warns that the mainland has further intensified military activities around Taiwan.

       Japan has "grossly interfered" in China's internal affairs, "unreasonably condemned" China's normal defense and military activities and "exaggerated the so-called Chinese threat." Zhao said, adding, "This is extremely wrong and irresponsible."

       Arguing that Taiwan is part of China, Zhao said the island's complete reunification with the mainland is "most conducive to regional peace and stability."

       China and democratic Taiwan have been separately governed since they split in 1949 as a result of a civil war. Their relationship has deteriorated since independence-leaning Tsai Ing-wen became Taiwan's president in 2016.

       In recent years, fears have been growing that the leadership of President Xi Jinping, which considers Taiwan as a renegade province, will try to achieve its cherished goal of reuniting the island with the mainland, by force if necessary.

       As for the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku Islands, claimed by Beijing, the islets in the East China Sea are "an inalienable part of China's territory," Zhao said.

       Tokyo's paper dishes out harsher criticism for Beijing's "unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion" near the islands called Diaoyu in China, while claiming activities of the neighbor's vessels around there represent "a violation of international law."

       In February, the Communist-led government also implemented a maritime law that allows its coast guard to use weapons against foreign vessels it views as illegally entering its waters.

       The legislation "is not targeted at a specific country and fully conforms to international law and international practice," Zhao said.

       "In fact, many countries including Japan have enacted similar laws for a long time. Japan should stop its deceitful diplomacy and double standards," he added.

       This year's defense white paper was reported to the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday.

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0