DHAKA: China has denounced Japan’s plans to boost military purchases, accusing it of playing up regional tensions as an ‘excuse’ to ramp up defence spending.

The cabinet of hawkish Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe agreed Tuesday to spend 24.7 trillion yen between 2014 and 2019 , a five percent boost to the military budget over five years.

Japan plans to purchase stealth fighters, drones and submarines as part of its efforts to boost military hardware that will beef up defence of far-flung islands amid a simmering territorial row with China.

China is ‘firmly opposed’ to Japan’s spending plans, defence ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said in a statement released late on Friday, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1744 HRS, DEC 21, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor