China on Wednesday asked Japan to maintain its "exclusively defense-oriented" policy under the war-renouncing Constitution, as some Japanese ruling lawmakers have called for Tokyo to acquire the ability to attack foreign bases.
"Because of historical reasons, Japan's military security trends have always received the attention of the international community and its Asian neighbors," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters.
"We urge Japan to earnestly learn the lessons of history," Zhao said, adding, the nation should "continue to follow the path of peaceful development with concrete actions."
Japan invaded a huge swath of China since the 1930s before the end of war that lasted until August 1945.
On Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government, which is seen as right wing by China, held a meeting of the National Security Council to review the country's defense policy.
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, the government's top spokesman, has said that under the Constitution, striking an enemy base is allowed for self-defense if there are no other means.