China castigates Abe over latest military comments

Japanese leaders should act in a way that is more conducive to regional peace and stability, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday, after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe indicated possible support for foreign forces in the South China Sea.

"We hope Japan can face up to and reflect on history, respect the safety concerns of its Asian neighbors, pursue a path of peaceful development and do more to enhance mutual trust with its neighbors," spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

According to Thursday reports, Abe said he would not rule out the South China Sea as a potential area for Japanese troops to give logistical support to the United States and other foreign troops under a new legal framework proposed by Japan.

The Abe administration is trying to make a spate of changes to the country's postwar security policy. The Diet is debating security bills that would expand the scope of operations by the Self-Defense Forces,according to Japan's Kyodo news agency.