CRI听力:China Becomes A Focus in Japan's Defense White Paper

In the 400-plus page document, Japan claims it's facing an "increasingly tough" security situation.

It portrays China as a threat in escalating regional tensions, accusing China of building offshore platforms in the East China Sea and reclaiming land at islands in the South China Sea.

It also criticized China's increased military spending, saying it is now 41 times higher than in fiscal 1989.

It's reported that the publishing had been delayed for more than a week as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling party panel demanded mention of additional examples of China's maritime activities.

And content related to China takes up one-third of a chapter on global security trends that covers eight countries and regions.

China has not made any comments on the report so far.

But in an earlier response to partial contents of the paper, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying reiterated that "China's relevant activities are in waters within China's jurisdiction beyond any dispute. The protests by Japan are groundless, and China does not accept the unreasonable request of Japan."

Hua also defended that China's increased military budget is consistent with its robust economic growth.

In the document, Japan also renewed its claim to a pair of disputed islets that are called as Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan.

Seoul's Foreign Ministry has denounced the paper and summoned a Japanese diplomat stationed in Seoul to file a protest.

South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Noh Kwang-il urges Japan to respect history.

"The Japanese government adding an absurd assertion again in its 2015 Defence White Paper released today is an act denying past Japanese imperialism invading the Korean Peninsula. Such action is no better than it itself notifying the international community that it is still not correctly realising history, even though we have reached the 70th anniversary of the ceasefire."

The paper also referred to North Korea's recent test-fire of a submarine-mounted, nuclear-capable missile, the conflict between Russia and the United States and Europe over the crisis in Ukraine, as well as Moscow's increased military activity in the Asia-Pacific, the Arctic, Europe and near the mainland of the United States.

The passage of the report came at a time when support for the Abe government plunges to an all-time low after it pushed unpopular defense bills through parliament despite public anger.

The legislation allows Japan's Self-Defence Force to fight for foreign militaries even when it is not under attack.

Analysts believe that by playing up the surrounding threat, the Abe administration provides excuses for formulating a more aggressive new national defense policy, evidence for remolding its Self-Defense Forces and for amending its post-war pacifist constitution.

For CRI, I'm Luo Wen.