News - South China Morning Post
· collected 2026-08-31 · by Gabriel Dominguez
China's defense ministry has expressed concern over Japan's plans to arm submarine drones with long-range missiles and test hypersonic weapons in Australia. According to China's spokesman Zhang Xiaogang, these moves are a "dangerous" expansion of Japan's military arsenal that resembles its pre-World War II militarization. Japan's 2022 security strategy, which includes a "counterstrike capability," has led to a rapid expansion of the country's long-range strike capabilities. The key numbers mentioned in the article do not specify exact figures, but China views these developments as a challenge to its military interests.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-31,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In recent days, China's Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang criticized Japan for expanding its military capabilities, specifically its plans to arm submarine drones with long-range missiles and test hypersonic weapons in Australia. This move is seen as a threat by the Chinese government, who claims it has a "striking resemblance" to Japan's militarization before World War II. The criticism comes after Japan adopted a new security strategy in 2022, which allows for counterstrike capabilities, including the ability to strike military targets in an adversary's territory for self-defense. This development is seen as a challenge to China's own military, known as the PLA (People's Liberation Army).
Written for “Japan's Military Modernization Plans” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 3232 (medium confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-31
Why Japan’s hypersonic and underwater weapon plans might worry China
uncertain
plans → worry → China
Beijing has hit out at Tokyo’s moves to arm submarine drones with long-range missiles and test hypersonic weapons in Australia
China’s defence ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang highlighted the two initiatives on Thursday, saying Japan had “openly expanded its military arsenal”.
asserted
Japan → hit → arsenal
Zhang said the “dangerous” moves had a “striking resemblance” to Japan’s pre-World War II militarisation, though he did not explain why these particular weapon programmes could pose challenges for the PLA.
uncertain
programmes → say → PLA
Japan has rapidly expanded its long-range strike capabilities since adopting a “counterstrike capability” in its 2022 security strategy.
asserted
Japan → expand → strategy
Under the policy, Tokyo says it could strike military targets in an adversary’s territory for self-defence following an armed attack, while pre-emptive strikes remain prohibited.
uncertain
strikes → say → attack
