Chinese missiles concern Japan

It is said that this missile is launched near Xichang Space Center (Photo: AFP)

Japan expressed concern that China launched a missile test to destroy a satellite and asked Beijing for an explanation. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has asked Beijing not to deviate from the promise of only using space for peaceful purposes.

The Japanese government said that Beijing had announced that it understood Japanese concern and would take care of that concern. Our station envoy Chris Hogg said that the missile test launch apparently worried Japan, and Japan asked Beijing to explain it clearly.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said he wanted to explain why Beijing did not announce the plan to launch the trial. He said: "I don't understand how we can call this a way to use space for peaceful purposes."

Previously, Mr. Aso also called China a military threat to Japan.

I don't understand how we can call this a way to use space for peaceful purposes

 

Taro Aso, Japanese Foreign Minister

More recently, Japan's stance is to regard China as taking advantage of opportunities rather than as a threat, but this position was taken before the missile test.

There was also concern that China had no transparency in military-related issues, and now this suspicion has increased. It is important to not know China's reaction to criticism from Japan.

Mr. Aso said that Beijing had informed Japanese officials that they understood Japan's point of view and memorized it. China insists that this test is for peaceful purposes only.

Relations between the two countries have improved a lot in the last few months, and this test in some way has aggravated the relationship that has been difficult.