China strongly opposes the sensationalization of the "China threat" and defamation of China's military in Japan's new defense documents, said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesman for China's Defense Ministry.

In three security and defense documents that Japan adopted earlier this month, China was described as "an unprecedented strategic challenge". Other aggressive contents including Japan's counter-strike capability, increased military expenditure and the Taiwan question were also included in the documents.

Responding to a request for a comment on the sharp shift in Japan's defense policy, Tan said at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday afternoon that the China-related contents in the documents distort facts, are filled with prejudices, deliberately hype up the so-called "China threat" and smear China's national defense, the Chinese armed forces and their normal activities.

"Such acts have gravely interfered in China's internal affairs and created tension in the region. We strongly oppose them," the spokesman said.

He said it is Japan that continues to marginalize its pacifistic constitution and defense policies that renounce the right to declare war. With the excuse of "foreign threats", Japan has extensively raised defense spending, increased the investment in military technologies such as hypersonic weapon systems, deepened military cooperation with the United States, sought so-called counter-strike capability, trumpeted the sharing of nuclear weapons with the US and colluded with other countries to establish exclusive circles. With these facts, Japan has become a real challenge to the peace, security and stability in the region, according to the spokesman.

Tan urged Japan to keep itself away from the Taiwan question, always remember its history as an invader, reflect on its past crimes, honor its commitment, and be discreet about its words and deeds.

"We demand that Japan should learn carefully from its history, refrain itself from stepping into the Taiwan question and attempting to make a gain from it, and stay away from the country's doomed old road that alienated itself from its neighbors. Instead, Japan should do more to safeguard the regional peace and stability," he said.