ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday slammed Japan’s deployment of long-range missiles, saying the move violates international agreements.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the deployment of missiles with counterstrike capabilities goes beyond Japan’s stated self-defense policy.

“Japan claims the purpose is for defense and counterstrike, but the deployment of those offensive weapons goes far beyond the scope of self-defense and Japan’s exclusively defense-oriented’ policy,” Mao said at a news conference in Beijing.

She said the move violates international pacts such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, as well as Japan’s Constitution.

"China is gravely concerned," she added.

Japan said Tuesday it had deployed long-range missiles at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Japan and Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan, citing an "increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan."

Mao warned that the move signals Japan’s right-wing forces are pushing for a more aggressive military policy.

“The international community needs to stay fully alarmed,” she said, adding that “neo-militarism is casting a long shadow over regional peace and stability.

She also urged Japan to do "serious soul-searching on its history of militarist aggression, and honor its commitment and exercise prudence in military and security areas."

Separately, Kyodo News reported Wednesday that Japan is considering developing low-cost guided missiles using commercially available components, as well as new combat strategies combining such weapons with long-range drones in the event of a prolonged conflict.