China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing Saturday that Japan's adherence to defense-only policy conforms with its own interests.

The Japanese Diet earlier Saturday gave the final approval to a government bill of sending Self-Defense Forces (SDF) personnel to Iraq for reconstruction work there.

After saying that China has noticed the report, Kong urged Japan to earnestly adhere to the defense-only policy and the path of peaceful development for it is conducive to the peace and stability in the region and the world.

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2003)