Chinese experts are sounding alarms as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's repeated visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine spark regional tensions. The shrine, honoring WWII war criminals among others, remains a lightning rod for historical grievances across Asia.
In a fiery interview with CGTN, Victor Gao of the Center for China and Globalization declared: "China will never permit Japan to threaten global peace or develop WMDs again." His words come as Tokyo faces scrutiny over its military spending, which hit record levels this year.
🔍 Why it matters: The shrine visits coincide with Japan's push for expanded defense capabilities under its new security strategy. Young Asians are watching closely – 78% in a recent poll say they\u2019re concerned about historical tensions resurfacing.
🌐 The big picture: While Japan claims its military buildup is defensive, Beijing insists it will "protect peace through strength," with Gao emphasizing China's role as "guardian of developing nations' security." The chess match continues as both nations navigate tech wars and Pacific influence.
