China criticized Japan after Japanese forces fired a Type 88 anti-ship missile during joint military exercises with the US and the Philippines, calling it Japan’s first overseas “offensive missile” test since World War II.

China accused Japan of abandoning its pacifist stance and accelerating “remilitarisation,” warning that growing military cooperation and weapons deployments threaten regional stability.

Chinese officials also linked Japan’s actions to unresolved historical tensions from its wartime aggression in Asia and claimed Tokyo was reviving militarism.

The missile test occurred alongside a US launch of a Tomahawk cruise missile from the Philippines, highlighting expanding military coordination aimed at countering China in the Pacific, the South China Morning Post has reported.

China further raised concerns at the United Nations, accusing Japan of maintaining the capability to quickly develop nuclear weapons if needed.