Japan urges transparency in China’s defense plans

“Japan does not subscribe to purposely overstating China as a threat,” Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba said in an address to an international security forum in Singapore.

“At the same time, we would like to urge China to further enhance the transparency of its military capabilities and their purpose,” he added at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual meeting of security officials and experts.

“In this context, we hope the development of dialogues with neighboring countries on security and other issues will be further facilitated.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking at the same forum, also called for “openness and transparency” as armed forces modernize in Asia. He stopped short of singling out China.

“Transparency enhances confidence and reduces competitive arms spending. The same applies to the way in which sovereign governments make their national security decisions,” Gates said.

Japan’s Ishiba did not go into detail but the reported confirmation this month that China had set up an underground nuclear submarine base close to vital sea lanes in Southeast Asia has raised concern in the region as well as the U.S.

The base’s existence on the southern tip of Hainan Island was confirmed for the first time by high resolution satellite images, according to Jane’s Intelligence Review, a respected defense periodical.

It could reportedly hold up to 20 submarines, including a new type of nuclear ballistic missile submarine and future Chinese aircraft carrier battle groups, posing a challenge to longstanding U.S. military dominance in Asia.

But Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the general staff of the People’s Liberation Army, defended China’s defense program, saying China had made a “strategic choice” to hold “the banner of peace”.

“History tells us that we must rely on ourselves for sufficient defensive capabilities,” Ma said at the forum.

“To maintain territorial integrity and protect maritime interests is our unshirkable responsibility,” he said.

Ishiba said he recognized the difficulties China faces in governing a country with the world’s largest population, and borders with many countries.

“I hope China continues to enjoy stable development and will contribute with its huge potential to the stability of the region and world peace,” the Japanese minister said.

Despite improving bilateral ties, highlighted by Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to Japan earlier this month, the specter of World War II and Japan’s past militarism remain sensitive issues in China.

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