China urges Japan caution on security reform

China on Friday urged Japan to be cautious on its planned security legislation reform, after a speech by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that refrained from explaining this contentious issue.

"It is hoped that Japan can correctly view and deal with its history of aggression, live up to the solemn statement and commitment it has made on historical issues," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a daily press briefing.

"Only by facing up to the past can Japan have a bright future," Hua said.

She urged Japan to act with discretion on reforms in military and security areas, follow a path of peaceful development and work constructively for peace, stability and development of the region.

In his speech in Japan's parliament, the Diet, on Thursday, Abe emphasized his reform plans for Japan's agriculture, medical services, social security program, education and economy, but refrained from explaining the most controversial issue expected to be discussed at this year's parliamentary session, namely security legislation.

The Japanese government plans to submit to the Diet a number of security-related bills, including ones that would allow Japan to use the right of collective self-defense, based on the government's rubber-stamped decision in July to reinterpret the pacifist Constitution.

As for those bills, Abe said only, "I will promote enactment of security legislation so that [Japan] can seamlessly cope with every possible contingency." Endi