China voices concern over Japan's new intelligence agency

Istanbul (ANTARA) - China expressed concern on Thursday (28 May) over Japan’s move to establish a new national intelligence agency, according to state media reports. Japan’s parliament passed a law on Wednesday (27 May) by majority vote to establish a body aimed at strengthening the government’s intelligence capabilities. The agency will be directly led by Japan’s prime minister, with a national intelligence bureau as the operational arm, consolidating previously separate intelligence functions under a unified command. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, as quoted by Xinhua News Agency, said Beijing is monitoring developments that have sparked controversy and doubts both within and outside Japan. ‘Historically, Japan’s intelligence agencies laid the groundwork for its militarism and aggressive wars, committing countless atrocities against neighbouring Asian countries and the Japanese people themselves,’ Mao said. Mao also urged Japanese leaders to ‘learn from history and act with caution.’