China urges Japan to strictly abide by its "three non-nuclear principles" and to adopt a responsible attitude in safeguarding regional peace and stability, the spokesman's office of the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

 

According to Kyodo News Agency, Japan's new government said on Tuesday it is "legally permitted" to possess nuclear arms as long as they remain at a "necessary minimum" level for self-defense.

 

China hopes Japan, as a signatory of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), will seriously carry out its obligations, according to the office.

 

"We hope the Japanese side will stick to its 'three non-nuclear principles' and adopt a responsible attitude in safeguarding regional peace and stability," said a source with the office.

 

Following the nuclear test by North Korea on October 9, Syoichi Nakagawa, chairman of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso have aroused controversy and criticism by calling for debate about whether Japan should possess nuclear weaponry.

 

The "three non-nuclear principles," which state that Japan would not produce, possess or allow the entry into its territory of nuclear weapons, were approved by Japan's parliament in November 1971.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2006)