BEIJING — Joint statements between the United States and Japan "falsely accuse" China on maritime issues and point fingers at its normal military development and defence policy, China's foreign ministry said on Monday (July 29).

The ministry's comment followed the US and Japan's criticism of what they called Beijing's "provocative" behaviour in the South and East China Seas, joint military exercises with Russia and the rapid expansion of its nuclear weapons arsenal.

US and Japan leaders on Sunday unveiled a new military structure that would be implemented in parallel with Tokyo's own plans to establish a joint command for its forces by March 2025.

It would be among several measures taken to address what the countries said was an "evolving security environment", noting various threats from China.

"They maliciously attacked and discredited China on maritime issues and made irresponsible remarks on China's normal military development and national defence policy," said Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry during a regular press briefing."

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