On January 28, 2026, Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian answered questions from journalists at the New Year Media Briefing and Gathering, elaborating on China’s principle and position on the recent remarks by a Japanese senior official that Japan should have nuclear weapons.

Ambassador Xiao pointed out that, more than 80 years ago, the Japanese imperialism launched a brutal war of aggression against the peoples in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of innocent civilians. However, the Japanese government has never completely reflected on its wars of aggression and has yet to offer a sincere apology to countries in the region, including China and Australia. In recent years, Japan’s right-wing forces have continuously sought to breach the constitution, increased defence spending for 13 consecutive years, repeatedly relaxed restrictions on arms exports, and promoted the “normalization” of the SDF, paving the way for a return to being a “military power.” These actions reflect the refusal of Japan’s right-wing forces to accept defeat in World War II and their attempt to revive militarism, break free from the international order, and speed up re-militarization.

Ambassador Xiao stressed that the recent remarks by a senior official in charge of security and defense at the Japanese Prime Minister's Office that Japan should have nuclear weapons, are consistent with Japan’s struggle to revive militarism. Once Japan revives militarism, peoples in the Asia-Pacific region will bear the brunt of the consequences. China and Australia fought side by side in World War II and made tremendous sacrifices in resisting Japanese aggression. The two countries must remain highly vigilant against the resurgence of Japanese militarism and firmly oppose the attempts by Japan’s right-wing forces to revive militarism.