China concerned by Japan's National Intelligence Council move

Japan's lawmakers need to learn the lessons of history and act prudently, a spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Commenting on the passing of a bill by Japan's Upper House to establish a National Intelligence Council, Mao Ning said: "We're concerned about the move and note that it has already been both domestically and internationally questioned."

Addressing a regular news conference, Mao quoted people with insights in the country who have pointed out that the move is not simply Japan's internal affair, but also a major issue concerning the country's constitutional system as well as its domestic and foreign security policies.

Mao added that Japan's intelligence community has, in the past, paved the way for militarism and wars of aggression which resulted in innumerable crimes against its Asian neighbors as well as the people of Japan themselves.