China criticizes Britain-Japan defense pact-News Focus bd

China has criticized a defense deal signed Wednesday between Britain and Japan. Under the agreement, the two countries can deploy troops on each other's territory. Both London and Tokyo have described China as a "challenge" in the Asia-Pacific region.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida sign the Defense Treaty at the Tower of London, England

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing, "The Asia-Pacific is a dynamic region for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical games. China is not a challenge to anyone, but a partner for all countries' cooperation."

Wang also said, "Defense cooperation between relevant countries should be conducive to enhancing mutual understanding, trust and cooperation between countries. No imaginary enemies should be created, nor should the outdated mindset of conflict be introduced in the Asia-Pacific region."

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed the defense agreement at the Tower of London. At the treaty signing ceremony, the two leaders were shown a suit of Japanese samurai armour, which had been gifted to Britain's King James by Japan's then-military leader, Shogun Tokugawa, to mark the first trade treaty between England and Japan in 1613.

The agreement is formally called the Mutual Accession Agreement. The two countries agreed in principle on the deal last May. This is the first time Japan has signed such an agreement with a European ally. Note that as part of the US-Japan Security Treaty, thousands of American troops are stationed in Japan.

In a statement, Sunak's office said, "In this increasingly competitive world, it is more important than ever that democratic societies stand shoulder to shoulder to address the unprecedented global challenges of our time."

The two countries have also agreed to work alongside Italy on developing a new sixth-generation fighter jet. British company BAE Systems is already working on a prototype known as the Tempest. It will be the largest Japanese-European defense cooperation program.

Jonathan Yale, an analyst at Britain's Royal United Services Institute, said Japan is seeking to strengthen defense ties in the face of Russia's aggression in Ukraine and China's military expansion.

"It is now an open matter that [British] special forces are training on Japanese soil," Yall told VOA. The reality is that the military forces of both countries have been undergoing this training for several years. It will be easier to do in Japan, because there will be a legal framework.”

The Japanese prime minister is visiting the region to meet European and North American allies of the Group of Seven, including France, Italy, Canada, and the United States. Japan currently holds the presidency of the G-7.

Meanwhile, after talks between the foreign and defense ministers in Washington on Thursday, the US and Japan agreed to further strengthen security cooperation. In a joint statement, the two countries said China presented itself as an "unprecedented" threat to the international order.

Wikipedia: Japan–United Kingdom relations