China hits back at Japan PM's nuclear comments



by Staff Writers



Beijing (AFP) May 7, 2009



China hit back on Thursday at Japan Prime Minister Taro Aso after he said Beijing's defence spending was not transparent and it was modernising its atomic weapons.

"China's nuclear strategy and policy are very clear, and our advocacy of nuclear disarmament is widely recognised," foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told reporters.

"I wonder what aim the Japanese leader is attempting to achieve in the current situation."

Aso made the comments on a visit to Germany on Tuesday, in a speech touching on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and given to AFP by Japan's foreign ministry.

"China's defence spending has increased by a double-digit rate year-on-year for the last 20 years consecutively, yet the content is lacking in transparency," he said.

"In addition, China has been proceeding with the modernisation of its nuclear arms."

His comments mirrored others made by Japan's foreign minister at the end of April which questioned Beijing's commitment to nuclear arms reduction and were also angrily rejected by China.

Just over a week ago, Aso ended a two-day official visit to China during which he pledged to work with Chinese leaders towards the resumption of stalled six-nation talks aimed at ending North Korea's nuclear activities.