China's top diplomat urges Japan not to repeat militarist past

BEIJING - China's top diplomat Wang Yi urged Japan on Sunday not to repeat the "disastrous path" of its past militarism, as he repeated criticism of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by Beijing.

At a press conference during the annual parliamentary session, Wang said Takaichi's remarks suggesting an attack on Taiwan could present a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan that prompts a response by its defense forces were similar to the rhetoric used by Japanese militarists in the past.