"For historical reasons, sending troops overseas by Japan has always been a sensitive issue and draws concern from relevant Asian countries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said at a routine news briefing.

Liu said China hoped that Japan would sincerely abide by its commitments to limit its defense power to its own territory and coastal waters, continue to stay on the track of peaceful development and discreetly handle the issue of sending forces abroad.

The spokesman made these remarks when asked about China comments on Japan's deployment of its warship to support US forces in combating terrorist forces. The Aegis is an advanced computerized defense command system.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2002)